I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I had my third ablation and Watchman done mid- December 2021. About 2 weeks after the ablation I started flutter (not afib) and PACs and it continued persistently until cardioversion mid March. I have been in NSR full time since cardioversion. I've been on Multaq about a year, and doc wants me to continue Multaq for at least 2 months post cardiby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
So glad you are doing well Tom! Been thinking about you! Keep us posted! Kenby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
This sounds a bit like what I'm going through. I had by 3rd ablation plus Watchman in mid December and it was suppose to be a touch up to hopefully get off Multaq. (first two by Natale, the last at Vanderbilt). The arrhythmia has gotten worse since the touch up ablation - not afib, but in flutter most of the time with some PACs. Meds was changed to amio because Multaq was not helping anby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my touch up ablation(3rd ablation - first two Dr. Natale, this one Dr. Ellis at Vanderbilt) and Watchman on 12/14. The first week while taking it easy all was well. However, when I started resuming more normal activity the afib or PACs have increased. I know it is only a little over 2 weeks since the procedure and discharge instructions say that afib / arrhythmia often happens, I stillby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks everyone! It seems things are proceeding with doing a touch up ablation and Watchman at Vanderbilt with Dr. Ellis. It hasn't been scheduled yet- nor insurance approval finalized. I will make a post when things are more finalized.by KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Somewhat similar post to others regarding LAA isolation and LAA closure- I've had 2 Natale ablations, the last isolating the LAA. I had some minor afib break through about a year ago and is controlled with Multaq. I'm age 66 and in pretty good health. My recent issues started with a fall I took while running and I landed on my fist which cause a contusion and massive hematoma in myby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Wow Susan! I hope you are feeling better now! Kenby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Susan, I'm also interested in this topic. I'm currently 66 and I had 2 Natale ablations, last with isolated LAA 5 years ago. For 5 years since I was AF free until this past July when I started having a few episodes. I'm still not to the bottom of things, but my local cardiologist also mentioned SSS and possible need for a pacemaker. This week I had a nuclear stress and nextby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
It has been awhile since I've made a post. After two ablations by Dr. Natale in 2014 and 2015 for persistent afib, I've been afib free for 5 years. My left atrial appendage is non-functioning after last very extensive ablation; only Rx I've been on for 5 years is Xarelto daily. Well- the beast arose again after working outdoors in the heat and probably got dehydrated. Tby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am in the same boat also at age 63; in normal rhythm after two Natale ablations, but on Xarelto for now. I'm seeing Dr. Ellis at Vanderbilt for yearly checkup (closer than Austin, TX). He does the Watchman, but doesn't think insurance will cover as long as I am healthy and tolerating Xarelto. So for now looks like I will wait and see what the future holds and keep up with the reseby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you so much for sharing! I definitely found out info I had not heard before. Kenby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Don! Let me know if you find out anything else on this topic. Kenby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Greetings! It has been awhile since I posted and I wanted to give a followup to my second Dr. Natale ablation. After being in persistent AFIB I traveled to Austin TX and had my first ablation with Dr. Natale in July 2014. It was an extensive ablation and I remained in NSR for a year before have a re-occurrence of flutter. I had my second ablation with Dr. Natale in October 2015 and I'veby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
After a year of NSR after my first extensive ablation with Dr. Natale, I had a setback Aug. 1 where I went into constant flutter. (The trigger may have been dehydration and running in hot, humid weather.) After much sole searching and discussing with other forum members I decided to have a touch up ablation done by Dr. Natale on Oct. 9. I'm pleased and thankful that recovery from the secoby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am also looking at a touch up ablation with Dr. Natale in about 5 weeks. I am going locally for a TEE in a week and the local EP would like to cardiovert because I have been having episodes of high heart rate that lasts about an hour (145-150) plus flutter. While I can deal with the constant flutter, I'm very uncomfortable when I have these episodes and usually have to lay down until itby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
I haven't posted for awhile. I had a very extensive ablation by Dr. Natalie in Austin in July 2014 for persistent afib; and afterward had to be cardioverted locally in August post ablation. Then I had almost a year of great NSR with just ocassional PACs. I was able to get off Eliquis and Multaq last December and I've been feeling wonderful. I exercise briskly 3 mornings a week and ruby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, Here is a brief follow up from my Dr. Natale ablation that was performed last Tuesday, July 8. After ablation I am in normal rhythm at this point in time!!!! It's been 4 days and I'm home in KY from Austin and doing pretty good overall. First, thanks to Shannon and all that recommended Dr. Natale! I felt in good care with him, his team and the St David's team. Good expeby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Ron. Indeed I filled the Rx and did not take it. I'm schedule for consult and ablation with Dr. Natale soon. I'll post results soonby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
After talking with St. David's in Austin today, I have tentative dates of July 7 for a consult with Dr. Natale and a reservation for July 8 for the ablation (assuming everything is a go). Special thanks to Shannon for giving me the name of the right person to contact there- that helped a lot! I'll keep you posted!by KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Betty, They are his stats for the regular ablation (not hybrid). (At this point I'm not interested in the hybrid.) Complications were groups at less than 1% for tamponade, mini strokes, other risks. I'm still very much on the fence on whether to continue as is (like LarryG) with healthy lifestyle as long as I don't have any significant symptoms and I don't have otherby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good discussion! I am both tall and type A- haha! I made a call to the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute today to talk with someone on their nurse support team to discuss my specifics and options with Dr. Natale. I haven't heard back yet, but look forward to talking with them. I did get some more specs on the EP at Vanderbilt- he does about 200 ablations a year with about 75 of them beiby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks so much for all the feedback- it has been a big help! I have definately decided not to seek the hybrid as a first line of action on my afib. LarryG- it sounds like my profile is alot like yours.... and have seriously considered just continuing a healthy lifestyle for the near future. Then I hear others say that the longer I stay in persistent afib the hard to correct in the future, so tby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm a 59 year old male and I've been recently diagnosed with persistent afib. For about 12 years I had PACs with no issues. Then at the end of March I felt funny in the chest and in the ER I was in atrial flutter. I did echo, stress test, and TEE / Cardiovert. After conversion I was in rhythm less than 3 days and I've been in continuous afib (not flutter) since. Since then Iby KenKY - AFIBBERS FORUM