Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hey all! I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally saw an EP in December and have scheduled an ablation for February. He seemed to think that given my age and that I'm in the early stages and my Afib hasn't gone persistent yet that I would benefit from the ablation. He actually said I had a 90% success rate! This all sounded great to me and I immediately scheduled the ablation. I haven't been scared or nervous. I guess I just haven't been thinking about it too much. I'm sure the nerves will get to me a bit more in the next two weeks before the procedure.
From what I've read, I'm going through the same feelings as everyone else before an ablation. I keep thinking maybe I don't need this procedure and I'm just fine without it. But I keep reminding myself that this condition gets worse over time and I'd be a fool not to try to nip it in the bud now. One of the reasons I keep questioning my decision is because I've had 4 Afib episodes (1 in September and 3 in November). I haven't had an episode in 2 months. It's silly but part of me thinks "I'm cured"!!! I know that is unlikely. I'm probably more nervous about the procedure than I realize and coming up with excuses to not do it.
My ablation is going to be done by Dr. Chinitz who is the director of the NYU Langone Heart Rhythm Center. He is supposed to be one of the best and has probably done thousands of these in his career. I think the center at NYU does hundreds each year. Has anyone heard of him or been a patient of his? I've only heard good things from what I've researched. Also, for those of you who have yet to see an EP...do it!!! I walked out of there feeling so much better about what was happening to me. It's almost like someone finally took the time to explain it to me. My cardiologist, although a great doctor, never really did a good job at that. Even the nurse at the EP's office gave me more info in 5 minutes than I had received in the 3 months I had been going to my cardio.
Anyway, the date is coming up and as it gets closer I may be needing some words of encouragement. So I just wanted to give you all an update. Wish me luck!!!
From what I've read, I'm going through the same feelings as everyone else before an ablation. I keep thinking maybe I don't need this procedure and I'm just fine without it. But I keep reminding myself that this condition gets worse over time and I'd be a fool not to try to nip it in the bud now. One of the reasons I keep questioning my decision is because I've had 4 Afib episodes (1 in September and 3 in November). I haven't had an episode in 2 months. It's silly but part of me thinks "I'm cured"!!! I know that is unlikely. I'm probably more nervous about the procedure than I realize and coming up with excuses to not do it.
My ablation is going to be done by Dr. Chinitz who is the director of the NYU Langone Heart Rhythm Center. He is supposed to be one of the best and has probably done thousands of these in his career. I think the center at NYU does hundreds each year. Has anyone heard of him or been a patient of his? I've only heard good things from what I've researched. Also, for those of you who have yet to see an EP...do it!!! I walked out of there feeling so much better about what was happening to me. It's almost like someone finally took the time to explain it to me. My cardiologist, although a great doctor, never really did a good job at that. Even the nurse at the EP's office gave me more info in 5 minutes than I had received in the 3 months I had been going to my cardio.
Anyway, the date is coming up and as it gets closer I may be needing some words of encouragement. So I just wanted to give you all an update. Wish me luck!!!
take care,
atp
Good Luck
My EP told me that I was better off having it sooner rather than later. Best decision I've ever made. I hope I get many years benefit but if not, I'll have another.
I'll bet you'll do great. There's no reason to get nervous because you've already decided you've made the right decision and you have an EP that you have confidence in. Now it's just a matter of getting it done and getting on with your life.
Chubster
I just wanted to say good luck, and that I hope you'll check in here for some encouragement and support both before and after your procedure. I know I'm going to need it, too!
Duder - that's bizarre. And I think we're both the same age too. When is yours? Mine is Feb. 4th.
If you tell me your ablation is scheduled for 8:30am on the 4th I might have to start thinking we've got some Twilight Zone stuff going on.
I thought we had actually discussed that...as I recall you were going to see Dr. Calkins, but then you saw a compatriot if his, another EP? Dr. Calkins, and perhaps in turn the other Hopkins EPs, didn't view ablation as a first line treatment (This was as of November 2012). Dr. C recommended drug treatment first, but then relented when I told him I really wanted to finish up my military career without afib. So then he agreed to do the ablation. If you let your EP know that ablation is your first choice, perhaps he will relent as well.
BITB,
I was given the same percentage of success, 90%. The was either due to the fact that I had only had two episodes before the ablation, or the fact that they used the laser balloon system, which had such great success in France for over a decade of use.
Bill
I have my EP doctor, and I have the "anticoagulation clinic" that are "managing" my warfarin, and I'm not sure they're talking to each other. I'm gonna be pretty upset if my surgery date rolls around and they tell me they can't go ahead because I'm still too coagulated.
Yes, your INR should be between 2.0 and 3.0, so you are too low. However, they will pump you full of anticoagulant (heparin or lovenox) during the procedure, so I wouldn't fret about your levels for the procedure. But your level need to be higher on an ongoing basis.