ablation

Hi

Its been suggested that my husband might benefit from an ablation to stop atrial flutter.

Can anyone tell me what this entails, ie are you put to sleep, how long is the recovery, is there a stay in hospital afterwards.

When might a person be offered this procedure, ie how long after the pacemaker implant.

Does it mean you are then totally dependent on the pacemaker, at the moment he is "on demand"

And the main thing does it always work.

Thanks for all the help and advice

5 Comments

Ablation for Flutter

by Miaria - 2016-05-10 09:05:00

First of all find a EP that is experienced in doing this procedure. I have had my second ablation 3 weeks ago. The first one was for A-Fib done in Feb and then I had the 2nd one 3 weeks ago because I developed flutter. Some times you need a touch up on the first one. If your husband has only flutter than it should most likely be a one time procedure.

Some doctors don't put you totally out but mine does a general. Procedure can last 2-4 hours. If the procedure is done early morning he may be able to come home the same day. Mine was late afternoon so I had to stay overnight. He can probably get back to his normal routine within that week.

I also had a pacemaker implanted in March and is set to go off when my pulse drops below 60 bpm. The ablation will not affect the pacemaker.

Sometimes it takes a second procedure and if he is on any meds for the flutter after the 3 month period with no more flutter he can be taken off his meds.

Go on the internet and search ablations. There is a lot of info available.

Good Luck to him and keep us updated. If you want more info we're here for you.

Pat

Typical or atypical atrial flutter?

by parmeterr - 2016-05-10 10:05:15

I have had both. Typical atrial flutter is easy. They know the pathway and can ablate easily. 99% success. Atypical is much more difficult to ablate. Pathway can be in either atrial chamber and it has to be found. Not as successful of a procedure. 60 to 80% successful. Had typical atrial flutter ablated and had a cardioversion for the atypical atrial flutter.

Yes, they put me under and one night stay and I went home. Done with my pacemaker implanted. Not a big deal.

Richard

ablation

by Craft - 2016-05-11 07:05:45

Hi there

Thanks for all your comments. They are very helpful.

Craft

Atrial Flutter

by IAN MC - 2016-05-11 08:05:20

Pat makes a good point that you need to choose a Dr to do the ablation who is highly experienced in doing the procedure.

Although an ablation for typical atrial flutter is relatively simple some doctors seem to be better at doing it than others !

I asked my cardiologist- plumber which of his electrician colleagues he would choose if he or his wife, should ever need an ablation.
He said " what a good question " , thought for a couple of minutes then named an EP in London who he thought was one of the best in the UK at doing ablations.

He was the one I insisted on having ! The ablation took about 45 minutes and was totally successful . After one overnight stay I was back home, in normal sinus rhythm, taken off all drugs and leading a normal life.

It really is a piece of cake if you have the right doctor doing it.

Best of luck to your husband if he decides to go for it.

Ian

Flutter ablation

by Selwyn - 2016-05-11 10:05:56

I have never looked back following mine- it completely stopped the flutter.

It is a simple procedure- involves an electrical cut around the tricuspid valve ring ( just above the valve). This is done with a catheter ( they used the right groin vein for my access)

I was advised to have a general anaesthetic, though some are done under local ( I believe it can be painful).

There is a small risk of stroke from the procedure, bleeding, & arrhythmias. Less complications than an atrial fibrillation ablation.

It has a good success rate. I was in hospital as a day case.
No problems.

Regards,
Selwyn

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