PAC’s And PF Ablation

Since I haven’t had my pre-op appt I was wondering how much it will help eliminate my PAC’s.

I had to take HRV off from my pinned data highlights as some of the extreme numbers were making me so anxious.

And with a telemed appt I don’t think I’ll get the opportunity to ask a lot of questions in the time allotted.

Here’s hoping for AF and PAC’s to both get zapped away!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2025 12:47PM by Qwackertoo.

You will have time, if the advisor/physician is competent, to ask questions. That's a given. It gets worse, though, if YOU are not prepared, so do jot down two or three key questions and ask them when/if he/she invites them. However, you can up the odds immensely by asking the question, 'Would you mind one or two questions when you have all the information and advice you need to impart to me?' at which your wish is primed in that person's mind.

AF and PACs are cousins. Close cousins. Quite close. If you have been ablated, and are released from the cath lab fully in NSR and have passed the 'challenge' where they try to induce AF, you should still expect one, two, three blips of AF or PACs (ectopy) in the first three to five weeks, after which they should stop. If they don't, or if you were good for five weeks and THEN start to get breakthrough ectopy, that is most often a poor prognosis....you will probably, not certainly, probably, end up needing a second ablation. Remember that 25% of all index ablations fail to stop AF.

In my case, as it's all I know, my first ablation failed immediately and I had to go on amiodarone. That worked and I was back in NSR and it all seemed good, but the 10 week Holter showed a lot of PACs. I felt them, too. Needless to say, I ended up needed a second ablation which, thank God, worked. And no more PACs....which is why I say they are related. If you get fully ablated, no more signal leaking out into the atrial endothelium, you should have no more problems, not even PACs.

Thanks so much for your reply And your time too!!!

The call is scheduled for while we are in transit to Austin so I’ve planned to stop at least 15 minutes prior so there will be no road noise or traffic distractions.

I’m thinking I should narrow myself down to my 3 most important questions, written down, so I don’t get flustered or too in-depth into minor aspects with his time vs major concerns with my prospects. Any minor questions I’ll save for my pre op nurse and day of ablation care providers I will encounter.

I’m trying to look forward and be positive this is one and done but know that isn’t always the case.

I haven’t told anyone except my husband, 1 long distant friend and here anonymously on this forum. I’ll probably need to tell my kids and sister fairly soon. I’d rather not but probably should, I mean I didn’t even take the next week appointment (yes I was in shock) when offered after I was accepted so I can enjoy the 1 & 3 year old bdays in 2 weeks before I’m temporarily out of commission possibly for a few weeks. We had them for a sleepover last weekend and the 3 year old was including one of his little friends grandmother in the mealtime prayers as she was in bad accident and in a coma . . . so I still haven’t told anyone about me. Yes I’m weird!!!

Thank you again!!!

I'm unsure of your meaning when you say '...when I'll temporarily be out of commission possibly for a few weeks...' An ablation is day procedure, and you'll 95% certainty be back in your hotel room by NLT 2000 hrs that evening, depending on when you get wheeled into the cath lab. From the time you get invited to a cubicle, strip and gown, get IV'd, etc, and then ablated, recovery, lie still on your back for three hours, drink, eat, and then walk slowly around the ward to show that your BP is good, and then released, will be about 8 hours +/-. This means you should try to move around on your own next day, maybe they'll want to see you back again for full discharge (I don't know, you'll know), and you should be feeling fully recovered by about Day 4-6, depending on you and how your body and mind heal from all they do to you. I know people who have literally hiked a walking path, up and down some hills and through bush, for almost 10 km EACH WAY...the third day. So, go with your own flow, listen to your body, but it would be unusual for an ablatee to feel beaten for two/three weeks afterwards. I think that, as your mind lets itself down off the proverbial wall from anxiety and stress, and this is likely to be within a week, you'll find yourself relaxed, happier, with more energy than in many long months.

Gloaming: and you should be feeling fully recovered by about Day 4-6,

Maybe some, but more common is a few weeks. It was three months until I felt back to my pre-ablation self. The first few weeks, a ten minute walk outside was a big event deserving a nap. And I'm not just basing this on my own experience, but from similar timelines frequently mentioned across several atrial fibrillation forums. We all recover differently.

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2025 02:30AM by mjamesone.

gloaming, I should have said a couple of weeks instead of a few weeks. And yes, I am guilty of overthinking everything about this, both before and after . . . down to non-important details like what can I wear and NOT wear a bra just in case I'm really sore and other things that don't really matter. You name it, I've thought/worried about it. They may or may not remove my current heart loop monitor and replace it or just have me use Kardia . . . I just don't know yet, it will be 35 months old next month so it is time. My mind is working overtime. I probably read too many articles online about it too and should just stop "researching/reading" at this point.

They told me I'd be there overnight. It would be great IF they sent me home/hotel same day.

So 1 night in hospital, instructions include minimum 3 nights afterward in Austin area, then travel 3-4 hours to E. Texas to B&B for 4 nights (family visit) then rest of a 10+ hour drive home. We'll get to Austin 2 nights early, really one full day just to do whatever while being there and insure no unexpected issues on the 14 hour long drive, we'll stop over night on the way there too just because we have the time and I'm so over long car trips but didn't really want to fly out for this.

By time we finally make it home, just chill the first day after road trip and play catch-up on laundry, groceries etc so probably nothing crazy that first week home and certainly no marathons or 10 mile hikes . . . we'll still be having 100 degree days here. LOL

I can't wait to have more energy, more fun, start traveling again and lots of other fun stuff.

I won't get back at it with weights, kettlebell etc etc right off the get-go . . . I presently try to at least still do treadmill but that is about it these days.

I can't wait for a more relaxed mind, more fun, much more happiness, no anxiety from AF and get beyond, especially the last several months, when I finally decided enough was enough and get back to living.

I'm sure you are absolutely right about both the mind and the body making great strides within a weeks time . . . I guess I'm just being perhaps overly cautious and not do my usual IF a Little bit is good More has to be even better and not do too much too soon. It was a pretty huge deal for me to even go for an Ablation and this forum helped me "get there", especially you and Carey, all the information you've shared, I've read back months & years and learned a lot~!!! Thank You~!!!

Quote
Qwackertoo
The call is scheduled for while we are in transit to Austin so I’ve planned to stop at least 15 minutes prior so there will be no road noise or traffic distractions.


Just an FYI, my call was scheduled while we were driving there and it was at least 45 minutes prior to the expected time. Luckily, my notebook and pen were very easy to reach and all went ok despite being in a moving vehicle!! We had no place to turn off because of the earlier than scheduled call!!

My personal experience went smoothly and we were driving back to the Midwest after the required stay in Austin post-procedure. Good luck and safe travels!

Yes, agreed, we're all different. In my own experience, it was days, even when my first ablation failed inside of a mere 7. I felt a lot better at the five day mark. Second ablation, the same, and the only person I know personally, our organist at church, was out kayaking next day.

Thanks Pixie and mjamesone~! Appreciate your replies.

My experience was the same as Pixie's--the time for the call is not set in stone as Natale makes the calls between procedures and he can never predict exactly how long a procedure will take. If you have an iPhone you can request a Facetime call--better in my opinion as you can see his facial expressions. Also, his Italian accent is pronounced and I asked if I could record the call and he was fine with that. I appreciated this as I could go back and listen again for anything I didn't catch.

In my calls with him he was happy to answer all my questions but it is good to narrow them down to just a few and realize that his time is limited as he needs to get back to the EP lab. That said, I was firm in asking all my questions and he was fine with that.

Also, I really welcomed the overnight in the hospital (even though it was hard to sleep) as they have you on a heart monitor and can respond to any possible blips. Also, Natale came in the next morning before discharge (which was about 11 or 12) and did rounds with his NP to give you more details. Make sure that you get your ablation report before you leave. It should be in your discharge folder, but it is isn't, ask for it.

Daisy, I will work on fine tuning 3 questions this week. Maybe have a 4th as back up IF the answers to the others go really fast. I'll definitely have prepared notes so I don't get flustered and forget anything. Thanks~!