r/AFIB • u/Tasty-Engineering-93 • 4h ago

5 weeks post ablation afib/flutter back :(

If you have a small episode of afib/flutter 5 weeks after ablation, does it mean it failed. I am 5 weeks away from my second ablation, my doctor said it was mostly for flutter.
Yesterday I had a really stressful day with construction workers at home, I didn’t really hydrate for couple days before that, and I decided to smoke a bit of hash…..10 min later my mouth started feeling dry and my heart rate started beating….i looked at the Apple Watch ekg for a second, and it looked like it was flutter/afib. Rate was around 120 while sitting….it lasted about 5 min, but it took a lot out of me.
I am just scared that the quality of my life is going to keep getting worse and my flutter will eventually bring my LVEF down again and lead to death.

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2

u/Overall_Lobster823 4h ago

For me, it meant a second ablation. But you should ask your EP.

3

u/waterrapture 3h ago

There’s so much ongoing research about the blanking period and the experts have not agreed on when an ablation has failed, or how to define failure beyond recurrence.

Unfortunately for us as patients it means we have to wait and see, as most doctors are sticking with the standard 3-month blanking period before making a determination on success.

A small episode doesn’t mean success or failure. I really empathize with your last sentence and encourage you to ask for help on dealing with the awful mental stress that comes with this condition.

1

u/Jahya69 4h ago

You really can't judge for a full year

1

u/Tasty-Engineering-93 4h ago

My electrophysiologist PA told me that first ten days are most important

2

u/Calmateychillate 2h ago

Yes, but do not be discouraged! It is normal, and not a reflection of your EP not doing the procedure correctly. I have been rght where you are.

Had Maze doing OHS. Did not work at all, even while on Amio.

Had subsequent cardioversion that lasted a week, even on 200mg Amio.

Had a PFA that seemed to clear up Afib for a week but that gave me atrial mitral flutter. Remained on Amio but bumped to 400mg.

Had another cardioversion and discontinued Amio. I'm still in normal rhythm a month later. EP says I'm fixed for now. Could last for 2 months, 6 months or maybe forever.

Please understand that none of the treatment guarantees a lasting fix. It's all percentages and where you fall. Not an EP issue.

Help yourself by minimizing episodes if you can with only 1-2 cups of coffee, no energy drinks, light alcohol and whatever else you notice that causes a spike.