Newer type of ablation? So, I have an ablation on the schedule. The type of ablation they offer is the thermal ablation, and I believe that is the only option. I saw an article today about doctors that are having success using a different method, I believe it is "pulsed field ablation. Here is a paragraph: By contrast, pulsed-field ablation uses electrical fields to create tiny holes in the membranes of heart muscle cells. This causes the targeted cells that contribute to irregular heart rhythms to die without altering the overall structure of the tissue or affecting other cell types. Pulsed-field ablation has been used to treat cancer by killing tumor cells for about a decade; however, the technology has only recently been applied to the heart. Anyhow, this will be my first ablation, naturally we all want our procedures to be safe but also successful in helping our issues. Wondering if I should be getting second opinions by talking to other doctors first about options or if I just go for it and hope/pray for the best outcome. I feel like on the forum here, there are many who have had unsuccessful ablations... especially first ones sometimes finding success with the 3rd or 4th? Maybe Im wrong. Wanting to make the best decision. Thanks for any help. https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196903#msg-196903 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:47:28 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,197021#msg-197021 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,197021#msg-197021
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sldabrowski
If you have access to the various symposiums - LAA closure symposiums, StopAFIB.org, etc.

The attached file is from the 2024 International Symposium on Left Atrial Appendage (ISLAA) conference.[islaasymposium.com] They are already redoing the website for 2025. Not all the presenters may be ablating EPs, but this is an excellent way to start. There are a number of people on this board who've had ablations by Dr. Andrea Natale in Austin, TX. He would be an example of an EP at the top of the list. Of course he will naturally have a significant waiting list for consults and ablations.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 22 Aug 2024 01:58:58 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,197000#msg-197000 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,197000#msg-197000
I recently met a workshop participant who lives in northern California. She is contemplating an ablation. (her afib is quite significant even on drugs) Her insurance company sent her to their in-network EP. She asked him how many ablations he has done and success rate. His response was "several" and "pretty good" results. She is going out of network.]]> sldabrowski AFIBBERS FORUM Sun, 18 Aug 2024 20:54:28 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196966#msg-196966 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196966#msg-196966 You can phone the local university hospital and ask to speak to someone in the cath lab. Ask them which of the EPs they'd send their husband/wife/son/daughter to if they could.

Don't do this. The staff are too busy to take a call like this. Also, they will be very hesitant to answer questions such as this to a complete stranger especially when they are working. To answer a question like this as an employee they could find themselves in trouble w management. The EP's working there would not be happy if they knew employees while working were recommending patients see one particular physician. If I got a call like this, I would refer you to your Int med doc or cardiologist and tell you have a discussion w them. And it would get out that staff are recommending one MD.]]> JakeS AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:19:28 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196963#msg-196963 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196963#msg-196963
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LaDonna
George, thanks for your comment, and if you can elaborate please. How do you know whether your EP is the best? Do you go by reviews online? Do you ask them for references in reg. to the procedures they have done and success rates? Thank you!!

I've been on this board for 20 years, but have not had an ablation. Hence hopefully the people who have will give you their opinion.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 15 Aug 2024 10:50:21 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196953#msg-196953 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196953#msg-196953
Talk to your family doctor (General Practitioner, or GP). Make an appointment and pay for the time, but make it the topic of interest. That person should provide you with a candid assessment of the local practitioners. Ask the same questions as above.

Ask around for any nurses in your circles. Ask to speak to two or three of them and ask them for help to navigate this quest. One or two of them might agree that Dr. X is da bomb.

I find that most online reviews tend to be negative, almost revenge-oriented. My own EP was the Top Candidate for Canada as awarded by the Canadian Cardiac Society, and is highly regarded by the nurses in the cath lab. They warn that he's all business, and won't invite you to his next back yard barbeque, but he's really good at what he does. Yet, the reviews, as I have found for most of the local internists who work in the local ER, are strongly negative about their arrogance, didn't listen, dismissive, etc. These are people who have not had their way, or what they thought they needed, from experts who have become very adept at discerning what is salient about each case and what is irrelevant. People don't like being told that what they've just related, that they think is key to their circumstances, is unimportant and that he/she can't help them...or do what they ask.]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:29:14 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196947#msg-196947 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196947#msg-196947 LaDonna AFIBBERS FORUM Wed, 14 Aug 2024 17:24:14 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196926#msg-196926 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196926#msg-196926 here is illustrative. Spend your time finding the best EP you can arrange. Not the tools they will use.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:08:03 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196921#msg-196921 Re: Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196921#msg-196921 gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 13 Aug 2024 03:48:33 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196903#msg-196903 Newer type of ablation? https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,196903,196903#msg-196903 By contrast, pulsed-field ablation uses electrical fields to create tiny holes in the membranes of heart muscle cells. This causes the targeted cells that contribute to irregular heart rhythms to die without altering the overall structure of the tissue or affecting other cell types. Pulsed-field ablation has been used to treat cancer by killing tumor cells for about a decade; however, the technology has only recently been applied to the heart.

Anyhow, this will be my first ablation, naturally we all want our procedures to be safe but also successful in helping our issues. Wondering if I should be getting second opinions by talking to other doctors first about options or if I just go for it and hope/pray for the best outcome. I feel like on the forum here, there are many who have had unsuccessful ablations... especially first ones sometimes finding success with the 3rd or 4th?
Maybe Im wrong. Wanting to make the best decision. Thanks for any help.]]> LaDonna AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 12 Aug 2024 19:18:56 +0000