Comments on: AV Node Ablation: Why You Shouldn’t Have It

By: aly5qt

aly5qt — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:22:22 +0000

My good news that is a very strong position against …which I think is not necessarily helpful. I signed up to this site to hopefully get the feedback of people who had had AV ablation for some people it does become a last call in the choice making process.
I have discussed with both of my cardiologists in depth the pros and cons but they can’t tell you how it will feel do you?
I have had four ablations over the last six years I do suffer bad bouts of af each ablation bought me some time but no permanent end to it. I have just had 6 months solid horrid exhausting eventually I had a cardio version and I have had 6 weeks clear sinus now I want to feel like this forever unrealistic I know but some people who have had the av ablation talk of feeling that good afterwards.
I already have a pacemaker so part of the job is done when I first had it fitted I was very aware of iit now not at all, maybe I will get used to the atrium remaining in af and my ventricles going steady, my two brothers both had strokes as a result of our condition so running in af does worry me…. Please try to keep an open mind we do need the medics as educated people we like to understand our conditions but the answer is we don’t we can’t keep up with it all Aly

By: mellanie

mellanie — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:57:06 +0000

@Bill McNeil The pacemaker will keep the heartbeat in a normal range. A beta blocker slows the heartbeat, and should do that as well.

By: Bill McNeil

Bill McNeil — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:39:00 +0000

I’ve got one question will the AV node ablation stop the fast beating heart, Iwas told if the heart did’nt get any rest it would wear out sooner

By: mellanie

mellanie — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:28:12 +0000

@Bill McNeil Please email me privately (using the contact form at http://www.stopafib.org/contact.cfm). You’re much to young for AV node ablation, so I’d like to find out more details and see if I can help.

By: mellanie

mellanie — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:26:09 +0000

@Bill McNeil Maze procedures are typically 90-95% effective, so I’m really curious about the 50% figure you quote. Was it an open chest maze, or are you talking about a minimally-invasive procedure, often called a mini maze (not exactly the same thing as a maze)? What energy source or tool was used on your maze procedure? Do you have any idea why this was less effective? The only reason it should have been a lower effectiveness would be if you had had afib for a long, long time and it was so set-in that they couldn’t reverse it.

By: mellanie

mellanie — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:20:26 +0000

@Bill McNeil We have lots of knowledge of afib, but the patch for a hole in the septum is not something we have much knowledge about.

Are you working with an electrophysiologist? If not, please do so. If so, please get a second EP opinion.

Any idea why the maze didn’t work? Have you been in afib for a long time?

Mellanie

By: Bill McNeil

Bill McNeil — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:54:57 +0000

Hey Mike I have afib and have tried all the meds and ablations and have had a maze procedure done the drs recommend AV ablations but say I’m too young I’m 60,I read the longer you stay out of rhythm the harder it is to get back,they also said the AV ablation and pacemaker won’t get rid of afib just help you live longer,I was wondering as to how you are doing as I have to make some kind of decision soon,thanks

By: Bill McNeil

Bill McNeil — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:12:02 +0000

I have had afib for several years and have taken all the meds you could possibly take they did not work had 3 ablations they did’nt work the drs finally talked me into having a maze procedure done said it was a 90 -95 % cure all not true that was in 2009 still having afib found out later it is only a 50% cure not like they said,they want to go thru the ASD in my heart but told me there was some major concern about the patch,I don’t believe everything they tell me anymore you have to check it out for yourself,

By: Bill McNeil

Bill McNeil — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:01:16 +0000

You can’t stay on amediorone very long too many side effects it will cause liver failure and effect your lungs and eyes. I’ve taken it and my doctor has stopped it I have afib I have had the ablations done and they don’t always work the first time you may have to go back several times before you get any relief,

By: Bill McNeil

Bill McNeil — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:43:55 +0000

I’ve got a question I have had a heart surgery for a large hole in my heart in 1999,and a Maze procedure in 2009 to fix afib,none of these have worked and I have had 3 ablations and 3 cardio converts since then,I’m now in afib and I have taken all the medicines they have for this condition, I was told on Tuesday that I needed to have another ablation by going thru the patch to the left side of the heart to fix the false signals but the problem is that this is very dangerous because of the patch,they don’t know what this will do by going thru the patch if it will heal up or not I have also read that it takes more than once to correct this problem so do you think that I would be a canidate to have a AV pacemaker the drs said I might be able to live another 16 years if I have this