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.
Arrived at the hospital at 10:00 for prep. I opted for the French Wax instead of Bill's Brazilian, so Bill I still want to borrow your thong -g-.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
opsyn
So glad for your great outcome! Thanks for the detailed account! I'm sure it will help many facing this procedure! Take it easy and allow yourself to fully recover!
Please keep us up to date.
Ecofr
Relatively, wasn't it a piece of cake?
Just curious, from your write up, it sounds like you were awake during the ablation procedure. Is that correct?
Also, I am surprised that your procedure was so much different from mine. I was under the impression that the ablation process is pretty much standardized. But, from what you have described, yours was very different from mine. It looks like it all depends on the doctor and/or hospital.
By the way, I had the pain in the left side of the chest too. The Ibuprofen took care of it within 10 minutes.
Thanks again for the update. Rest up and get your strength back.
Scott
The learned more about the event recorder I'm wearing. The physician decides what they are monitoring and what the thresholds are for each type of event. I have not been able to find out if the physician can change the event criteria during the 30 day monitoring period. Like, if I have 20 events today and 3 events tomorrow is that better or has the definition of an event changed. Inquiring minds want to know.
Yesterday I had 13 events in about 6 hours, today I had 18 events in 24 hours. All of those 18 events occurred between 7:00 pm last night and 7:00 am this morning. I have not had any events since 7:00 am this morning so maybe my heart is calming down. Tonight I will wear my sleep apnea oral appliance and maybe make it through the night with no events.
I'm a little less fatigued today, I still have limit energy reserves.
The groin punctures are healing nicely and the skin the got ripped off when the groin dressings were removed is also healing.
My heart appears to be stable in NSR, BP very normal 120/75. My rate continues to be markedly faster. Up from its usual 50 BPM to 75-85 BPM. This increased heart rate has been reported by several other post ablation AFIBERS. Soooo, so far, so good!
Sean
Wear your oral appliance and don't exercise for at least 4 weeks.
I made the mistake of hitting the gym at day 10 and not using my cpap during my blanking period that set off my flutter circuit at day 15 that lasted almost 2 weeks before be cardioverted.
I;m approaching the year mark May 28 with no afib, I can't belive it!
McHale
Thanks for the response. Way back, you were awake through the entire procedure. I knew people at work who went through it. They were not happy at all. Even myself, 12 years ago, I was awake for a cath procedure to make sure there is no blockage. Mine was pretty fast though (10 minutes). But, the pain when he went into my artery in the groin was extreme, never forget that one!
By the way, right after the ablation my heart rate was around 92. Later on, after I got a flutter, in the ER they put me on Sotalol.. Then, my heart rate was around 82 resting. However, my heart rate went back to low 90s when I stopped the Sotalol 2 weeks ago after my 3 month check up with my EP. I had to start taking the Sotalol again to bring down my heart rate. My pressure is around 116/72. So, I can't really overdose on beta blockers to bring the rate down.
So, I am NOT sure why the heart rate should go up after the ablation. My resting heart rate was around 67 before it. Needless to say, I am not very happy with high heart rate. But, I guess it is better than being in afib all the time.
Petey - Is that really a fact what you said about heart rate and the success of the ablation.
McHale - Congratulations to you too for a successful ablation. What is your resting heart rate? Higher than before?
I heard the higher HR thing not just from Petey, but from other individuals not only on this site but on stopafib. I think we all freak out when our HR goes up after ablation (mine went from 58 to 85 resting). So I was VERY happy to hear that this was actually a sign of a successful ablation. And with exercise, the HR will come back down. Mine isn't as standard as before..used to ALWAYS be in the area of 58 resting..now, a good day it will stay in the low 60s. Bad day, low 70s. Dunno if this is just stress, or something I ate or what. Again, everyone is concerned with the increased HR post ablation, but it is a good sign.
Bill
CONCLUSION:
PV isolation in patients with AF may result in increased HR, which positively correlated with the ablation success.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16087103
petey
Between 7:00 pm last night and 7:00 am this morning my monitor showed 5 events (down from 18 yesterday). One was when I got up this morning, one other since 7:00 am this morning.
BP remains normal. Heart rate is down to the high 50's to high 60's (I'm still taking 25 mg metoprolol for rate control).
Get minor heart palipations now and then, however, heart is very steady. In NSR! I wore my oral appliance last night.
Getting stronger, but still a little weak. A little light headed this morning. I did a little computer work today, so the brain is working, but not in high gear.
I'll take McHales advise and not push the exercise.
Thanks very much for your responses and the link. Now, I know I am not the only one with elevated heart rate after the ablation and even it can be a good sign :-)
Bill -
what is up with you not running the O-Course for your annual physical? :-) But, congratulations for passing the physical and getting over the metabolic syndrome, big accomplishments. Just kidding about the o-course :-) What is the age cut off for it? 50?
Paul -
I am glad your are doing well after your ablation. Yes, give yourself some time for getting the strength back. You will get there, promise :-) Just kick back and take it easy for a while.
Thanks for the progress report. It is encouraging for others who are sitting on the fence regarding the ablation.
Scott