Post ablation cough

I am just at 4 weeks past my first ablation and have this chronic cough since recovery. It is wearing me out and doubling me over at times to the point of retching. Chest X-rays show no issue and I am pretty stable regarding Afib since the procedure. I have no other illness, no allergies. Is this a thing for some patients after an ablation? No clue or help from the medical professionals.

No, that is definitely not something anyone should expect following an ablation.

Have you seen anyone about this other than the EP who did the ablation? This is a job for your PCP first and foremost, and for them to refer you to a specialist if necessary.

And one obvious question: Have you been tested for COVID?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2023 08:45PM by Carey.

I am in weekly contact with the nurse from my EP’s team in Austin. He advised PCP and xrays which I’ve done. PCP did not think Covid testing necessary. Nor did I as I have had Covid and know what that’s like. And this began immediately after the procedure in recovery and hospital. It’s not a function of my meds which have stayed the same. I have read elsewhere online where patients had cryo and a resulting cough for months after. I had RF ablation. There is also a theory about an irritated phrenic nerve. Any thoughts about that?

Sometimes a TEE is done concomitantly with the ablation, and this can cause sore throat and coughing. Coughing generally subsides in a couple of days. But COVID keeps changing, and it won't necessarily be the same experience from infection to infection either.

Finally, sometimes ablation results in pulmonary vein hypertension which can be symptomatic with coughing. It's rare, and I would think/hope that this was considered and ruled out for you.

I will run this by my nurse from the afib team and ask about TEE and PVH. Nothing was considered for me actually by either medical professional. Thank you for your response and the information. Regarding Covid, it was my PCP’s decision not to test.

I had a cough post an aortic stent put in.. frozen vocal chords.. It ended up being an aneurism but this was due to the mesh stent. A week later they put in a covered one (it was all a big thing.. LOL!). Honestly this week I was telling my husband I was so thankful because without the cough that aneurism would have sat there and who knows what. I mention not to say it could be an aneurism. I really don't- apples and oranges procedures. But if it happened right after and is still there it probably warrants a dive into what it could be. (Mine was diagnosed from a cardiac CT). .. edit to say it could totally be from the TEE if they did one...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2023 09:13PM by bettylou4488.

I had a Natale ablation on 5/30/23. (Regular RF with extra time spent going though the septum to other excitable tissues). No problem with recovery per se. (Had to start on flecainide & met to calm some tach). Then I had a fall which necessitated a hip replacement on July 3rd. In mid August I started a dry cough that wouldn't let up. Tests for covid, RSV, and flu all negative. Was told it was a cold. But I slept all the time and coughed all the time. Finally begged for an antibiotic a few weeks ago. It stopped the cough and brought improvment, it but my body strength and stamina are still not 100%. I have NEVER had anything like this and rarely have any kind of a cough symtom, even with colds. I have no idea where this came from. Friends say, it's probably because my body has been through a lot this summer with the ablation and hip replacment, but it seems like there's something more at play here. I've got a healthy body. Could the comment: "Sometimes ablation results in pulmonary vein hypertension which can be symptomatic with coughing" apply here?

Quote
Californiagal
”Sometimes ablation results in pulmonary vein hypertension which can be symptomatic with coughing” apply here?

The usual way to check for pulmonary hypertension is an echo—have you had one since your ablation?

Quote
Daisy
”Sometimes ablation results in pulmonary vein hypertension which can be symptomatic with coughing” apply here?


The usual way to check for pulmonary hypertension is an echo—have you had one since your ablation?

Will be getting one October 20th...

I have not had an echo since my ablation, only a chest X-ray which was clear. I just asked case nurse about a possible PVH or phrenic nerve irritation. I also went in again to my local doctors for second time a week ago, and since they have no clue, I asked to be treated for a sinus infection with Z Pac and Medrol Pac which I just finished. Cough is some better but not gone. I have normal sinus rhythm, thankfully, but I think I should be feeling better by now? I’m 5 weeks out from my ablation. Doctors did not test me for Covid or RSV as I look fine with no other symptoms and they did not deem it necessary. Story of my life with life long fibromyalgia—since I test normal for everything, and I look healthy, there couldn’t be anything wrong with me, right? 🥴

I just want to say thank you so much for all of your responses and suggestions. I appreciate this forum.