Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

A pacemaker only works when your heart is beating too slowly. Then it kicks in and increases the rate. HOwever, usually in a fib, your heart is beating too quickly (the opposite). Thus a pacemaker wouldn't help out. NOw, if they ablate one if the pacing nodes, then you have to have a pacemaker to make up for it, as I understand it.

Tha ablation I assume you are talking about is the PVI type to stop the errant signals to cause the a fib.

Yes 2222 I am in a fib because of the errant electrical signals.

I am scheduled for an ablation April 4. Cyro ablation. I am on my 3rd cardioversion. THe last one is try to keep me in sync until my adventure trip to Patagonia is done.

My research suggests that ablation works with a pretty high success rate - sometimes it has to be done twice. It all depends on the individual circumstance. Younger and healthier makes for a better candidate.

My research also suggests looking for a surgeon with at least 800 procedures under their belt. 1,000 - 2,000 would be even better.

A pacemaker isn't something I ever want. Destroying the AV node isn't an option, and I'm still left with A-Fib.

A pacemaker is rate control...except to prevent extreme bradycardia and to mechanically alter heart rate proportionate to exertion level. The only one that I could accept if I was very old, had conduction problems, and was the type of pacemaker that only kicks in when the heart goes so slow or are extreme pauses. Even then, I would think long and hard.

I completely agree with you Petey.

I have bradycardia but have always been asymptomatic.
I was told by my previous PCP on his retirement not to let Dr's talk me into a pacemaker as long as I was symptom freeWhat age do you consider "very old". I may be there already.
I'm fortunate. AF continues to be very manageable and not interfering with my normal activities.In the past 6 months episodes have actually decreased in frequency and severity. I'm just on Warfarin.

bergeram: 95, but don't hold me to that. I might change my mind then.