When am I considered an ablation failure?

I am 15 weeks out from my second ablation. Tonight I had an arrhythmia (Probably aflutter as it felt different than Afib). I took my PIP 3 x 50 mg of Flecainide. I am back in NSR after about 20 minutes. This is the second episode in about 2 and a half weeks. The first resolved itself after 4 minutes. Is my second ablation considered a failure? And, now what? Do I contemplate a third ablation? I am so disheartened. Anyone have experiences or thoughts to share?

I've had my touch-up 5.5 months ago, and I'm only feeling better now. I've decided giving my heart more time to heal. For some people, it may be long.
I'm working on life style changes and supplements. It's all benefit.

No, your ablation can't be called a failure. First, you're barely out of the "official" blanking period. But but it's not like the "official" 12 weeks is some precise, scientifically rigorous number. There's more than enough individual variation to make 15 weeks still within "your" blanking period.

Second, it resolved quickly and on its own. Yeah, you took flecainide, but it stopped only 20 minutes later. The flecainide couldn't even have been fully absorbed when it stopped, so I really doubt it reached therapeutic levels in 20 minutes.

Both episodes could easily be nothing but bumps in the road after a successful ablation. It's way too early for you to be talking about failure and another ablation. Relax, take a deep breath, and give it time to settle down. :-)

Agree with Pompon and Carey.

I would not be disheartened yet. That can only make things worse. From what you have stated I would not be too worried yet.

Agree with the above comments. When was the last time you wore a monitor? Might want to ask for one to see if you can narrow down what is happening. Might not be A-Fib or flute at all. Also make sure you are taking all of your supplements. Best wishes and hopefully this is but a bump in the road.

I agree with everyone. My opinion is ....it takes at least a year to know where you are at after ablation. Who did your last one?

TSCO - Dr. Horton at TCAI in Austin. His nurse told me today that he thinks that my current bouts of arrhythmia are coming from my LAA. On my second ablation, he did ablate around it but did not isolate it. I wore my Zio monitor for a week, ending last Wednesday. There were no long runs of anything, just a few ectopic and runs of 6 or 7 quick beats. However, I had a 20 minute episode this past Monday. He wants to discuss ablating my LAA appendage and putting in a watchman. I am just not , on board with that. I started back on a beta blocker this evening and it has already quieted my heart a bit. I am with you in thinking that I may need more time to heal. I hope that is what it is. I am just disheartened. Thank you all - Dinodog, Rocketritch, Carey, Anti-afib, and Pompon.

Sit tight, don't do anything, and don't be disheartened. It's always a bumpy road.