Cardiac Ablation not 100% successful

[Biff2240]

I had a cardiac ablation on May 19.  My e.p. told me he found 12 bad sites.  He was able to ablate 10.  He said the other 2 were in high risk areas.  He said if I needed to have an ablation again I would need to have a code ablation.  Can anyone explain to me what this is .  I have had several mini attacks since the ablation.  I am truly depressed that the operation was not a success.  I have not yet had to go to the emergency room by ambulance,  but I am truly scaired about the prospects.  The last ambulance run before the ablation I was thrown into a fib.  I have not yet returned to work.  My cardio says I just need to give it more time. I am not on any meds. My blood pressure is within normal range.  I am living on pins and needles with this.  Thanks for any adivce you can give me.

[tc1414]

you might be referring to "node" ablation, in which they completely ablate either the sinus or AV node. if this is the case, i believe it would make you pacemaker-dependent, which is why docs normally don't go ahead and do it without first consulting the patient, even if they're already in the midst of an ablation procedure.

[maggiemag]

I think you may mean a cold ablation where they freeze the area.  Not all centers do this, I think.  How long were your mini attacks?  If they were only a few minutes, then I think you will be fine and could certainly work.  Remember, if it's SVT or AF it won't kill you.  I have been there!

[ireneo]

May 19th, just a week or so ago? Yes, you definitely need to give your heart more time to heal. Imagine if you have 10 burns on your arm. They would take more than a week to heal. Plus the heart is a reactive muscle, not just a slab of skin. Think of it this way - each time your heart gets a bit overactive, it's just complaining a bit. Eventually the inside of your heart will heal and it will feel better. Worst case scenario - if there are still a couple of active spots in there, the EP doctor has your heart mapped out and can find those areas much more quickly and most likely zap them into submission. Just give your heart some time.

And I've never heard of a "code ablation." Perhaps you can google it and find some info.