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Doctor insights on:
Is Ablation The Only Option Available For Afib How Effective Or Successful Is It
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Is ablation the only option available for afib? How effective or successful is it?
No, Somewhat: No - there are medical therapies and surgical therapies as well. First ablation procedures w/ current technique are generally 50% effective at eliminating either the rhythm or all symptoms of the rhythm. With a touchup procedure, that generally goes up to ~70%. Many electrophysiologists like to claim higher rates, but these numbers reflect the best published data from some very good centers. ...Read more
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Ablation (Definition)
Cardiac ablation involves destruction of tissue aimed at elimination of sources of origin or propagation of arrhythmias. It may also be used to destroy part of the heart in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Typically it is done with a catheter inserted through a ...Read more
2
Can't have ablation due to greenfield filter afib getting worse had two pe's any options if meds tykosyn does not work ?
Yes: Good centers can navigate through or by side of filters. ...Read more
3
Failed tykocin therapy for afib ablation not an option due ivc filter amiodarone only other drug option offered side effect? Any other options
Depends: In order to safely prescribe medication for a fib it is important to know more about your heart, specifically whether there are any abnormalities. There are drugs other than amiodarone and tikosyn (dofetilide) but the do not have the same efficacy (success rate ). ...Read more
4
If ablation in afib had no successful long term & amiodarone failure in73hypertensive male with paroxysmal attacks then what to do for afib?
AF: Repeat Ablation and/or rate control with long term anticoagultion ...Read more
5
Should I have an afib ablation?
Hypothetically...: Let's make assumptions: you're 36, presumably healthy without other major med problems and you have already failed a trial of 1 or more drugs. You only have afib sometimes. Fine, here's the breakdown. Chance of cure on 1st procedure: 50%. Chance of cure after 2nd procedure: 70%. Recovery time: short. Risk of major complications, ~4% including 1:250-500 of stroke. Pick your ep doc well. ...Read more
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6
Been 4 months since i had afib ablation, had 3 episodes , is my procedure unsuccessful?
Probably: Not. Sounds like it was not successful. You may reguire additional ablation therapy and/or antiarrythmic medication. See your cardiologist. ...Read more
7
I have afib episodes every few months. Should I have ablation before it gets to be more frequent or persistent?
May want to: Discuss "pill in the pocket" approach for rare afib...I think an electrophysiologist consultation would be best way to answer your question as some people are much better candidates for ablation than others. ...Read more
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8
Have proxsymal afib had two cases of a pe have a filter when should I consider an ablation?
Cox Maze: Lone standing(not associated with valvular disease) atrial fibrillation may be cured with the cox maze procedure. Dr. Sirak at ohio state university has excellent cure rates performing the operation videothoracoscopically. I advise you go see him and his cardiology electrophysiology team. ...Read more
9
Should my father get an ablation for his afib?
Hard to answer: In this short space, it's a difficult question to answer. We don't know ur father - I suggest getting him on HeathTap Prime or talking w/ a doctor to get a good opinion. Generally, ablation is used when afib is symptomatic, causing problems, persistent despite max medical treatment, & recurrent despite cardioversion. Only a doc w/ access to his records cd determine if he meets these criteria. ...Read more
10
Why am i taking metoprolol after an afib catheter ablation?
Ablation: After ablation there usually is a period of arrhythmia, the metoprolol is to minimize this. Often a second ablation is needed for afib, the metoprolol helps control rate if af recurs. ...Read more
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11
What is the indication for surgical ablation (av node ablation) for atrial fibrillation?
Definitive Control: We don't generally do this with surgery, but rather with a "catheter" based procedure (wire we thread into the heart that cauterizes the av node). This procedure provides complete control of the heart rate in the lower chamber and excellent symptom control, but makes people dependent on the pacemaker that *must* be implanted with this procedure. ...Read more
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12
Should I get ablation for my atrial fibrillation and is the robot the right way to go?
It depends: The robot for atrial fibrillation will probably not improve the outcomes of the ablation. It may make the procedure slightly faster, or perhaps less xray use - but the outcomes are about the same as the non-robot ablation. ...Read more
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13
After an ablation for afib, I'am getting off flecainide, will I have any effects as it gets out of my system?
Only AF: There is always a risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation. That is the only "side effect" you're apt to encounter as you withdraw flecainide. Good luck, LillyS. ...Read more
14
What is the success rate for the "firm" procedure for atrial fibrillation and are there any additional risks having it done over a normal ablation
Alternate technique: My understanding is that FIRM (focal impulse and rotor modulation) ablation is, perhaps, a more advanced ablation system using a very sophisticated catheter that, purportedly, maps locations/rotors that seemingly could trigger & sustain AF. Success up to 80% in controlling AF for 2 years is reported, better than with standard ablation. Risks should be similar. Careful case selection is important! ...Read more
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15
Can you recommend the best reference source to learn more about ablation of atrial fibrillation?
ACC or AHA: Hello marina -- yes, you can find comprehensive reference and patient educations at the american college of cardiology or american heart association websites -- please just google them. ...Read more
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Why would I be completely be dependent on my pacemaker if I have the AV node ablation Such as SVT are atrial fibrillation?
Electricity : The heart is a house with 2 chambers upstairs (atria) and 2 chambers downstairs (ventrical). The electricity to the downstairs chambers comes from the upstairs chamber. The connecting point between the tow floors is called AV node. If you cut this AV node, the lower chambers will not have electricity to work, so u need to provide the lower chamb with anther source of electricity, that is pacemaker ...Read more
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17
What do you advise if I'm scheduled to have a cardiac ablation tomorrow, but not in afib right now?
Talk to your doctor: Assuming you are being abated for AFib, and you have had recurrences despite medications, then it may be a good sign. The success rates are higher for "paroxysmal" AFib than permanent. If you have concerns, then this is a good time for a second opinion. ...Read more
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Do you think Atrial Fibrillation would improve with an ablation? Only remedy so far is cardioversion
Yes: RF ablation for atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter in good hands ought to be curative. Factors that determine success: electrophysiologists experience and record of success, duration of AF; size and function of Left atrium. Good luck! ...Read more
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Is there a number one doctor-recommended reference source to know more about ablation of atrial fibrillation?
AHA or ACC: American heart association: www.Heart.Org or american college if cardiology: www.Cardiosmart.Org. ...Read more
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taking sotalol post ablation afib surgery told to stop sotalol 3 month after ablation I stop last night now resting pulse is 90 usually 78 normal?
Probably: After stopping Sotalol, you can experience an increase in the RESTING heart rate (measured after 5 minutes of no exercise, sitting or preferably laying flat, in a darkened room with all lights/sounds off). Most heart rate measurements are not true "resting" heart rates, so an increase to 90 may have confounding factors. A change from 78 to 90 is not significant, then. (Worry if it jumps to 100+). ...Read more
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Atrial Fibrillation (Definition)
A heart condition, in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal. This abnormal electrical signal causes the heart muscle to contract when it is not supposed to and thus blood is ...Read more
- Treatment option available