Welcome to the Afibber’s Forum
Serving Afibbers worldwide since 1999
Moderated by Shannon and Carey


Afibbers Home Afibbers Forum General Health Forum
Afib Resources Afib Database Vitamin Shop


Welcome! Log In Create A New Profile

Advanced

Right side Ablation

Posted by Joe 
Joe
Right side Ablation
October 09, 2003 11:48PM
My AF has increased in frequency again and my EP wants to try a right side ablation with an investigative cathater, He says he has been averaging about 50% success with this procedure.
This cathater has been rejected by the FDA for insuficient data, but appears to be reasonably safe and effective, it produces a linear leasion that seems to do the trick, according to what I have read.
This AF has made a mess of my life and I am at the moment leaning towards going thrugh the procedure but I am also trying not to be too desperate.
I have had one ablation for Wolf parkinson white syndrome and it was after that the AF popped up, I don't if the previous ablation had anything to do with the AF or not.
Any experience or insight would be appreciated.

Thanks
Joe
Bill
Re: Right side Ablation
October 10, 2003 11:31AM
Joe- Sounds like you are talking about the Cardima procedure. I was part of the original trial and was on the wrong side of the 50%. Since then I have had a pacemaker implant with the AF suppression algorithim. Worked great for 4 months(pacemaker) then AF after 127 days, then after 37 days, then again after 40 hours this past Monday. My next step will be the Cleveland Clinic-no more trials. If I were you I would bypass the Cardima procedure and go for a PVI. Only one person's opinion.
Rod
Re: Right side Ablation
October 10, 2003 12:46PM
Bill- Have you tried having the pacemaker set to pace the atria only (with ventricles on back-up only if the rate falls)? I'm into my tenth month with this and it's working well. I also take 180mgs SR Verapamil once a day to slow my natural pacing. My p/m has all the anti-AF gismos but they've never had to be switched on. Before the p/m I had 12/18 hour sessions every other day.
Bill
Re: Right side Ablation
October 10, 2003 01:23PM
Rod-- I'm not sure mine has that capability-I'll certainly check. I believe from reading your posts in the past that you have either a medtronic or guidant model. Mine is a model from st. jude. I believe your's is activated if AF begins while mine is designed to suppress AF before it begins. Your's seems to be working- mine was, but no longer. I was having episodes every 3-7 days prior to implant. Four months of NSR ,then one month ,then two days. I see my EP next week. I'll ask about atria only pacing. Thanks
Rod
Re: Right side Ablation
October 11, 2003 12:05PM
Bill - Mine is set to pace if the rate drops below 70bpm. As my natural hr is in the range 48/60 that means it's on all the time except when I'm exercising. My p/m technician says he has quite a bit of success out-pacing the natural rythm of the heart. Good luck!
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login