Guest Gary Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 New to this forum, 81 year old male, active swimmer, former long distance runner, diagnosed w A-flutter in September 2020. Had cardio version then & catheter ablation in early December. Echo cardio gram shows ejection rate estimated 55-65 and no structural or valve defects. ELectro physiologist highly regarded, 92% in EP in HealthGrades, said my ablation was only limited successes bc erratic impulses in or near the AV node, are too dangerous to try to ablate without patient consent. Today, 8 weeks after the ablation, still plagued with sensation of racing heart rate, arrhythmia at night, keeps me awake. Getting 5 hours average. My GP recommended melatonin, helps somewhat. Today, following heart rate spiking to 130, and 2nd cardio version in early January, now on 1) Multaq anti rhythmic, 2) Metoprolol beta blocker & 3) Eliquis blood thinner. Still nervous, jittery, heart racing, sleep deprived — fearful of too much exercise— after 6 months of this, I’m scheduled for AV ablation & pacemaker on March 2. Question: AV ablation & pacemaker procedure — according to Mayo Clinic, Stanford & many others — is widely practiced, relatively safe, it frees one from the side effects of beta-blocker & anti rhythm drugs. Many resume exercise regimen. Pacemakers can be calibrated for exercise. Batteries are long lasting. But... it is permanent, no guarantee the racing symptoms will be gone, no going back. For an 81 year old who wants to swim again, does anyone have any experience with “pace & ablate”? What am I missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue in WDC Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 Hi, Gary. If you read my message, please register for the forum. It's free of charge or any kind of hassle, and it's easy to do. Here's a link to a brief video that walks you through the registration process: How to Sign Up for the Discussion Forum - Get in Rhythm. Stay in Rhythm The advantage of registering (at least one of them) is you'll be able to read and reply to comments in this thread and others. And, yes, I'm pretty sure you'll get plenty of comments. Here's mine in a nutshell: No, don't do it, at least not yet. A/V node ablations have their place, but not for an active and healthy-sounding 81 year old. Instead, seek out an EP like Dr. Andrea Natale in Austin, Texas, who has tons of experience successfully ablating old and young patients. It may take a couple of procedures, but you're likely to be a-fib and flutter-free (and highly functional) afterwards. --Sue 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 I have had 3 catheter ablations and 1 cardio version and I still have afib. It is beginning to affect the quality of my life negatively. I am always out of breath, heart pounds, then go into anxiety mode and at times a panic attach. I have gone to the ER on 2 occasions thinking I was going to die. I just learned of the Hybrid Ablation which seems to be the "go to" ablation procedure. Is anyone familiar with this procedure. I am 74 years old and would love to get some relief. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brennalara Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 Hi Pat, You will need to sign up and register for the forum so that you can post on our General Discussion board and interact with our other members. Here are the instructions: https://getinrhythm.com/how-to-register-on-forum/ Please let us know if you have any more questions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gary Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 To Sue in WDC, thanks for your response. I DID cancel my scheduled pace maker & AV ablation . Primarily because I had a second opinion from an Afib specialist at Mayo Clinic who said my symptoms not warranted the AV ablation, essentially what you said. Also, Some authorities say no ablation should be considered a failure until 3-6 months after the procedure. So, I’m waiting until the end of June & hoping for the best. Had a period of about 3 weeks w almost no racing heart, then it came back. Still losing sleep. Still weak in the legs. At 81 recovery takes more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ema Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 Being "plaqued " by AFIB for aprox 2 yrs - made mistake of seeing electrophysiologist who put in a Pacemaker which in hindsight a mistake ( confirmed by 2 other electrophysiologists) I'm now scheduled for a standard ablation or would it be wiser to have an AV Node ablation & get on w/ life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brennalara Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 Hi Ema, You will need to sign up and register for the forum so that you can post on our General Discussion board and interact with our other members. No one will see your posts here, as you posted under Getting Started & FAQ instead of under the General Discussion board. Here are the instructions: https://getinrhythm.com/how-to-register-on-forum/ Please let us know if you have any more questions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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