2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps I *think* I'm having PVCs. My new GP says 2 years post ablation is a common time for PVCs to increase. He says it is a time of increased stroke risk. Anyone have anything to say about this? I'm wondering what I can do about this and is this a prodromal sign of a returning afib? I'm thinking it's time for a Holter monitor to see what my burden is. It has a lot to do with my digestion and I think my heart rhythm is closely tied to my hiatal hernia too; famotidine seems to help on occasion. Also this seems to have something to do with my HR slowing down; when my resting HR was high after the ablation, I had a steady rhythm. Now that's back to my normal 60, I'm experiencing PVCs. My heart rhythm is best when I'm walking or working around the house actively and my HR is up. https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201520#msg-201520 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:07:09 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201537#msg-201537 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201537#msg-201537 So, it seems that about 50% are going to make it out to the five-year mark, give-or-take.


Let's just make it simple and stick to the five-year mark, which you initially brought up.

Again, According to Winkle et al. 2023 "Very Long-Term...." nearly 68% of PAF patients remained AF free, five years after a single ablation. And the stats are even better in younger patients with fewer comobidities.

So that's quite different from the impression one gets from anecdotals on the various heatlh forums.

Also, keep in mind, AF ablation studies use an extremely high bar for success, per your first link. In many trials a single episode lasting 30 seconds counts as a recurrence. Ok for research maybe, but in the real world, most of us would consider years of normal rhythm, with only a brief or even a not so brief occasional episode a successful outcome.

For example, I had a 3-hour AF episode, six months after my ablation, but AF free for the last 2 1/2 years. So if I were in one of those studies,
I would not have made it to the "five-year mark" but is that even relevant? Both myself and my EP consider my ablation a big success.

So if you add my experience and many others like me, the stats start becoming even more favorable for ablation.


Jim]]> mjamesone AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:31:11 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201535#msg-201535 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201535#msg-201535
[scienceinsights.org]

[www.jacc.org]


So, it seems that about 50% are going to make it out to the five-year mark, give-or-take.

This is a very interesting article including data on AI-assisted CA:

[globalrph.com]]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:48:09 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201534#msg-201534 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201534#msg-201534
Quote
mjamesone
That's because health forums are subject to selection bias. People with unsuccessful ablations are more likely to post.

I've been making that point for years. People who get successful ablations just go on with their lives. They don't post to afib forums. Sure, there are people like me and others here who've had successful ablations and remain active, but I can't recall anyone here who had a successful index ablation and is still active here. Same with other afib forums I've participated in.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:08:31 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201533#msg-201533 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201533#msg-201533 But, regrettably, all the hundreds of posts by different patients on several fora dealing with AF suggest that you're doing well if you get to five years without a recurrence.

That's because health forums are subject to selection bias. People with unsuccessful ablations are more likely to post. Conversely, those with successful ablations tend to move on with their lives. According to Winkle et al. 2023 "Very Long-Term...." nearly 68% of PAF patients remained AF free, five years after a single ablation. And the stats are even better in younger patients with fewer comobidities.

Jim]]> mjamesone AFIBBERS FORUM Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:33:36 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201531#msg-201531 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201531#msg-201531
But, regrettably, all the hundreds of posts by different patients on several fora dealing with AF suggest that you're doing well if you get to five years without a recurrence. And do keep yer fingers crossed. (:P)]]> gloaming AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:51:24 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201529#msg-201529 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201529#msg-201529
Quote
Ken
Two successful ablations, first good for 13 years, the second for 6 years, but unfortunately, there have been some breakthroughs. Afib will always come back.

13 years and 6 years sounds amazing, though still discouraging to hear "Afib will always come back".

Has anyone had just one ablation and remained AFIB free for decades?:)]]> Yuxi AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:40:25 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201527#msg-201527 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201527#msg-201527 Ken AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:38:04 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201523#msg-201523 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201523#msg-201523 Shiny Sleeves AFIBBERS FORUM Tue, 09 Jun 2026 01:53:22 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201522#msg-201522 Re: 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201522#msg-201522 GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:52:55 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201520#msg-201520 2 yrs post ablation and now PVCs and thumps https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,201520,201520#msg-201520
I'm wondering what I can do about this and is this a prodromal sign of a returning afib? I'm thinking it's time for a Holter monitor to see what my burden is. It has a lot to do with my digestion and I think my heart rhythm is closely tied to my hiatal hernia too; famotidine seems to help on occasion. Also this seems to have something to do with my HR slowing down; when my resting HR was high after the ablation, I had a steady rhythm. Now that's back to my normal 60, I'm experiencing PVCs. My heart rhythm is best when I'm walking or working around the house actively and my HR is up.]]> Shiny Sleeves AFIBBERS FORUM Mon, 08 Jun 2026 02:50:25 +0000