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.

Have an personal friend who has had afib for over 20 years (never ablated). A few years ago he started getting lots of PVCs. He started taking 2.5 g/day of taurine in divided doses and the PVC frequency diminished materially. If I remember correctly, he initially went up to 4 g/day and was able to drop bacik to 2.5.

Hi George. I tried that a few years before ablation, and it actually triggers afib for me.

I take Taurine daily along with Magnesium and Potassium. Definitely not a trigger and possibly has helped me avoid afib. 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.

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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?

Yes, many have gone on to expire from something other than the AF for which they were ablated years earlier....even ten years. But, because it is a progressive disorder, it tends to reappear inside of 3 years for the heavy majority of sufferers, and maybe the 'average' runs out to about 5 years if you take the standard deviation on either side of the curve. This is NOT empirical...I'm just imagining what the distribution would look like if presented as a graphic curve and my guess is that one standard deviation left of the mean would be around 3 years-ish, and one standard deviation above the mean would be around 5-7 years............................................................ish. I would love to see veridical data.

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.

Gloaming: 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

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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.

Good point, Jim. However:

[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: 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



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2026 01:38AM by mjamesone.

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Carey

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.

As one of the successful I fall into the above category. First what I would say successful ablation in 2009 I stepped away from this forum. Not due to lack of interest or concern for my fellow afibers it's just something that happens. When my afib returned after 9 years and following a failed 2nd ablation I returned seeking advice. Was fairly active for the next couple of years through 3 more ablations then back to being dormant again. Through all that time I still came by to read others experiences.