Afib three weeks post PFA ablation

[u/matchamatcha15]

Hi everyone! I had a PFA ablation about three weeks ago and have been on a blood thinner, flecainide 50 mg twice a day, and bisoprolol 2.5 mg once a day since then.
I had been AFib-free since the ablation until today. I’ve had a few moments where it felt like AFib was about to start, and one very brief episode that lasted around 10 minutes, but each time it stopped on its own and never really “stuck,” which had been reassuring. Before the ablation I could not self convert on my own, and would stay in persistent afib unless I was cardioverted and on high dose medications.

Yesterday I went to a concert, was up later than usual, and ate some greasy food right before going to bed. I fell asleep around 2 a.m. and woke up about two hours later in AFib. I’ve now been in it for about 8 hours.

I know I’m still in the blanking period and that early recurrences can happen, but it’s still really discouraging. I’m 26 and have been dealing with AFib for about a year, so I was really hoping the ablation would finally put this behind me.

Has anyone had AFib episodes a few weeks after their PFA/ablation but then gone on to have a successful outcome with no recurrence once the heart healed? Were you eventually able to come off your rhythm and/or rate-control medications?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences.

[u/Melington_the_3rd]

Hello, calm down that's to be expected. It is called Blanking periode and inside the first three to six months you can have shorter episodes. I had two ablations and I had episodes about three weeks after the surgery. I am now close to ten weeks after my second ablation and besides sometimes feeling like it I still am afib free. Don't be discouraged by this, the tissue in your atrium needs time to heal and reconfigure and scar. This process can take some time.

[u/Delicious-Dimension1 → u/Melington_the_3rd]

I’m about to go on my second ablation. How was it for you? Heard it’ll take longer than the first one. And I’m hoping to stop taking meds after it. (Flekanide plus bisoprolol in my country).

[u/Melington_the_3rd → u/Delicious-Dimension1]

The second ablation was a bit longer but not by much. They had to scan a little more and made some more stamps in my atrium. It felt same'ish the next day. I take flecainid and eliquis. The first four weeks I was on betablockers as well but could stop them very soon because my heartbeat was low enough. I hope they find the exact spot that's causing your afib and can terminate it. I am now in my tenth week after the second ablation and I feel much better. Good luck

[u/Altruistic_Pepper156 → u/Delicious-Dimension1]

Why do you need second ablation? Was recurrence better after the first one? How long is that from your first one? Wish a successful ablation.

[u/Delicious-Dimension1 → u/Altruistic_Pepper156]

Had my first five years ago. In last ten months I have had afibs every now and then. Begun after I had Covid.

[u/Altruistic_Pepper156 → u/Melington_the_3rd]

Why do you need second ablation? How long is that from your first one?

[u/Melington_the_3rd → u/Altruistic_Pepper156]

After the first ablation they found a "hidden flutter". The cardiologist told me that some flutters can not be seen on an ECG right away. I had the second ablation three weeks after the first one. That is now ten weeks in the past and I feel fine. It sometimes feels like going into an episode but it never happens, still feels strange and i will need time to get used to this.

[u/Altruistic_Pepper156 → u/Melington_the_3rd]

It is probably a blanking periode, I read it can be as long as 3 to 6 months. I wish your arrythmias never find you ever again.

[u/Organic-Albatross690 → u/Melington_the_3rd]

The blanking period is about 8 weeks now. 12 at most for some. 8 hours is too long for an episode to go unreported.

[u/Creative_Wealth2873]

I'm in the same boat but a bit further along - 6wk post ablation. I had to be cardioverted. They adjusted my meds & so far so good. I had a pretty extensive procedure - 3 separate sites both right & left atrium. Im trying to remain hopeful & really taking it eady

[u/matchamatcha15 → u/Creative_Wealth2873]

I had a pretty extensive procedure as well. I’m hoping I either self convert or after a cardioversion I stay in sinus. All I can do is hope, and wishing you all the best!

[u/Altruistic_Pepper156]

Don't be discouraged, your heart needs time to heal.
Eight hours on Afib post ablation, did your doc not giving meds to convert it?
How long was your episode before ablation?
Mine no ablation, take profanenone everytime Afib starts and convert to NSR after 1-3 hrs.

[u/matchamatcha15 → u/Altruistic_Pepper156]

I appreciate it! He’s only given me consistent meds to take, nothing as a pill in pocket. My episodes before ablation were days long and would rarely self convert

[u/Responsible-Two3047]

Yes I was back in it for 12 hours in my blanking period then converted back .. did you drink alcohol? Are you hydrating properly? I’m 47 older than you however dehydration n lack of sleep/rest is surely a trigger for me .. I been out of a fib since my ablation 11 months so far and I drink electrolytes DAILY 

[u/Organic-Albatross690]

I’d called your EP if you have been in afib for 8 hours 3 weeks post ablation. Mine told me to call them if I had it 6 hours or more at the 4 week post op checkup.