Long time gap between ablation and touch-up

Is there any advantages or disadvantages in having a long gap between ablation and a touch-up.
It's been 9 months since my ablation, touch-up was supposed to be 6 month ago.

I am on flecainide and pradaxa with no afib or ectopics so far, although I think I have experienced some odd beats after pushing myself to hard, otherwise OK.

I'm just curious?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2023 09:23AM by colindo.

1st thing I 'd try if I'm AFib free since ablation is to stop flecainide and see how it goes that way.
I would only go for a touch-up in case AFib is back (and flec does not work).

I agree, if you are currently free of symptoms for essential purposes, then tinker with any current maintenance/prophylactic measures to see if you'll fall back into arrhythmia. If that turns out to be the case, then sure, you're going to need that touchup. But I would counsel any patient to try to establish the 'real' situation with my heart before agreeing to invasive measures like catheter ablation.

Quote
Pompon
1st thing I 'd try if I'm AFib free since ablation is to stop flecainide and see how it goes that way.
I would only go for a touch-up in case AFib is back (and flec does not work).

I had an episode of Afib post blanking period and that's the reason for the touch up. The EP who prescribe flecainide was adamant I stay on it until after the touch up because he didn't want me to have any more Afib before then.

AF begets AF, unfortunately, so all concerned should be striving to avoid getting the patient into AF. I think your EP was correct.