WHY cant I find anyone that has had a cryoablation?????

[donna4140]

I wish I could find someone that has had cryo done for atrial tach and afib.I am due to  have this done in august. Still undecided!!

[tom_h]

Donna, you've endured 20 years of Afib and arrhythmia issues.  Think back to the impact this has had on your quality of life.  It has to be significant.  You can do nothing and continue to allow this to control how you live and what you can or cannot do.  Or, you can take a take a chance on a procedure that has minimal risks, and great rewards.  Although I'm presently experiencing some arrhythmia issues, the last 8 months have been unlike any of the previously 54 years; free from SVT.  Being able to push my body to the limits without worrying about any issues has been life altering for me.  I'm hoping this will resolve itself, or if not I'll go back in the cath lab in a second to preserve my new life.  I have perhaps 25 years left, and I want to make every one count!  For me it's worth the risk.  Yes, a pacemaker is a possibility, and that prospect was made clear to me when I signed up.  But anyone you would possibly want in a cardiac emergency are there in the cath lab when they work on you and that fact really put me at ease.  I don't know how long ago you lost your dad, but pacemaker technology has made great advancements in recent years.  So to roll the dice, and possibly lose really won't have the impact that it would have had yeas ago.  Trust in your electrophysiologist and I'm sure you'll make out fine.

[donna4140]

Yes my cardiologist has mentioned that sometimes it doesnt last. He is not the one doing the procedure though.He didnt say what  % though. I wonder if recovery time is different between getting an rf ablation / cryo .  Maybe there is cases of no reoccurance,but I would still like to talk to someone that has had that happen.Having a pacemaker is my worst fear.My dad had one put in and he died weeks later.The more I read some of these posts the more I dont want it done.

[tom_h]

Same comments from EP.

[mq45]

My EP said they DO use cryo when it's near the AV node because it's safer and less chance for damaging the AV node and needing a pacemaker.  I think the risk of it coming back is better than the risk of needing a pacemaker.  I'm sure there are many, many successful cases of cryo without re-occurance.   have you asked your EP about chances of re-occurance?   Good luck to you!    

[donna4140]

Thats what I thought,and thats what Im worried about.Mines is in a bad spot near the av node so my doctor figured cryo is the way to go.

[tom_h]

They're findinghaving that cryo-ablation has a higher rate of returns than RF.  The latter burns deeper and scars better.

[cindy707]

Yep i had cryo and got your PM  i sent you a PM back...i had mine for a.f. and lot of other issues................

[donna4140]

My doctor is william stevenson. Ive heard he is also one of the best there. Im still very nervous about getting it done though. Alelia you say that your problem has come back?Thats what I worry about. Right now I have learned to deal with the issues I have,and have gotten used to them.For the most part my heart beats fairly normal. Maybe 1x weekly I will have a svt issue or sometimes its weeks. Ive only had two issues with afib over the last 2 years.Im glad of that because I can not deal with afib. Afib sent me to the er 2x.Im just afraid of the recovery time,and not being able to do anything after. Also I dont want it to come back or have it cause other heart issues.Im still undecided about having it done even though I already have my appointment set up. I have to make sure my insurance will cover it too.Is your afib worse now or the same as before?    thank you

[alelia]

I had the cryoablation procedure done 5 yrs ago. I had paroxysmal a-fib.  Did all my research  was happy about it.  Today a little over 5 yrs it has returned.  I do  not regret that I had it done.  If your thinking about it, go for it.  Yes, it's scary,but when it's over you won't regret it.  

As to whether yours will return, who is to say........  I am now 5 yrs older & have another health issue that is not heart related, so I won't be repeating it. Wish I could, but so be it.

I am in the low category, just baby aspirin every other day along with other herbs,fish oil, vit e and other herbs that fall into a limited mg.

I'm sure you have done your research, again it's very important that it is performed by one who has done many of these procedures as you probably know.

Hope this helpful.

Good luck

Alelia


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[dmacd74]

I have an appointment set up with Dr. Epstein in September.  Is that your doctor?  I heard he is the best, knows all the latest and greatest.  He just performed ablations on two high school friends, that is how I got his name.  I am looking forward to seeing him.  I have no idea if he has a good bed side manner or not, but both friends had no problems with him.  B and W, well, unless you go to Cleveland Clinic where they invented all these procedures, you don't get much better than B and W.

[donna4140]

Actually what I mean is Im trying to find some people that have had the procedure done.I have a appointment set up at brighams & womens hospital in boston in august. I just wanted to know how it has worked out for other people.

[DeltaDawn23]

I asked at University of Michigan if they do both cryo and radio frequency and was told no cryo.  I don't know why.  I haven't read as much about it as I have about radio frequency and am not sure what the advantages are.  I'll be interested in what you find out.