Success rates for AF ablation vary according to operator
experience and the technique used. Typically, however, the success
rate is about 75% after one procedure and 90% after two. It is not
uncommon that a second procedure may be required. Patients are
usually in hospital for one day.
Many people experience episodes of AF primarily when they are
asleep or after eating or at rest, as opposed to with activity or
caffeine. This variant is called "vagal AF". Treatment strategies
are generally the same - drugs or ablation. You should consult your
doctor.
Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils have been linked to
improvements or prevention of AF in patients who are at risk of the
arrhythmia. However, the studies have been small and larger clinical
trials are currently underway. Fish oils are definately not a cure
for AF, but they may help and they have little harm. In fact, other
aspects of heart health may be improved by fish oils, such as reduced
risk of coronary blockage. So, it is probably worth trying. There
are many brands and variants available, so talk to your doctor about
which local brands/doses are best suited for you.
Recurrences of AF are common immediately post-ablation within the
first 1-2 months. It is too early to tell whether your ablation has
worked or not since you are only one month post-ablation. We usually
suggest that patients get cardioverted if they remain in AF for more
than 24-48 hours. Antiarrhythmics are often prescribed for the first
2-3 months post-ablation to prevent these recurrences. If you have a
recurrence early, your chance of "failing" is about 50%, so there is
still a chance that things will level out nicely by the third month.
AF can be life threatening if it causes heart failure or is
associated with another rhythm problem, such as Wolff Parkinson White
Syndrome. Usually, AF is not a life threatening disorder, but is
associated with longer term risks. These include a higher risk of
stroke, higher risk of developing heart failure, or reduced quality of
life from symptoms. Thus, there is no "magic moment" when AF becomes
life threatening. The impact of AF on a given individual can vary
tremendously, so it is wise to consult your doctor about your
individual risks.
Caffeine and alcohol can trigger AF in some people, whereas they
make little difference to others. I generally recommend that people
cut back to no more than 1 caffeinated beverage (1 regular sized
coffee) and/or 1 alcoholic beverage (1 beer or 1 glass of wine) per
day. It is not necessary to abstain unless you notice problems with
this small amount of alcohol or caffeine.
You should visit a cardiologist. You will need an event monitor, which you carry with you for a month. It has two-there leads (wires) which is connected to small patches put on the chest like ECG. It records any abnormal beats and will most likely yield the diagnosis. Then treatment will be very easy. You should avoid caffeinated drinks and chocolate till you get tested. These things can cause similar symptoms due to extra beats. Please let me know if you have further questions?
You may need a stress test to evaluate your heart rate and heart function.
Dr. Andrea Natale
Dr. Andrea Natale is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at executive medical director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Dr. Natale also is the Senior Medical Director at Pacific Atrial Fib and Arrhythmia Center in San Francisco. He visits MetroHealth in Cleveland, and Akron General, Ohio. He has pioneered a new circumferential ultrasound vein-ablation system to correct atrial fibrillation and performed the procedure on the world's first five patients. For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS. is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at Mid-America Cardiology and The University of Kansas Hospital Clinics in Kansas City, KS, USA. He has several distinctions in clinical and research career to his credit and serves as an associate editor for Journal of Atrial Fibrillation.For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjay Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS, The Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI), KS, USA.
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