tsco Interesting that you should choose a dam as your example - in 2003, when I had my ablation in Bordeaux, Prof. Haissaguerre told me that it was like trying to build a dam with round stones, and it was difficult not to leave gaps in the wall. My ablation certainly stopped the AF and I am into my 13th year of sinus rhythm. I had highly symptomatic AF, paroxysmal for many years, then 24/7by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Les Very glad to hear that you're in sinus rhythm. I think the AliveCor is a brilliant little gadget - occasionally I get bursts of ectopics which are hard to distinguish from AF but the AiveCor can tell the difference. Gill (12 years and 3 months of nsr since ablation in Bordeaux, no idea how much longer it will last!)by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Les I had paroxysmal AF for many years which progressed eventually to 24/7 AF. Cardioversions lasted only about 36 hours before I went back into AF, and drugs made me feel worse so I eventually decided that ablation was the route for me. The success rate for ablation depends entirely upon the skill and experience of the person doing the procedure. I regularly read reports of many people iby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was going to post this on January 10th, the anniversary of my last day of AF in 2003, but I was having a few bumpy days and wondered if I had reached the end of the road. But AliveCor have a new algorithm in their latest update which analyses ECGs in your history, and it finds no AF. So I think it was just a lot of ectopic activity and I can go ahead and post. I had my first ablation onby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
David 12 years of nsr for me in a few weeks' time. My ablation for long term persistent AF was in Bordeaux in early January 2003. AF recurred three days later so they did an immediate second ablation. Prof. Haissaguèrre thought that there might be a gap in one of the lines but that was not the case - there was a very toxic focus in the coronary sinus which was extremely difficult to fiby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Eugenie AF often gets worse over time, progressing eventually to persistent AF which is much more difficult to ablate. This is what happened in my case. I had ablation, followed by touch up three days later, in Bordeaux in January 2003 - it wasn't available in UK at that time so I paid for it myself. Best money I ever spent. I felt fully recovered within 48 hours. Since then I haveby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Grady Even for a simple ablation the chance of success depends entirely on the skill and experience of the person whose hands are on the catheter. Success rates vary hugely, from below 40% to above 90%. If you can get to Dr. Natale, one of the best in the world, you give yourself the best chance. Gill (successful ablation in Bordeaux 11½ years ago, nsr since then)by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dr Hocini, one of the top people in Bordeaux, once told BarryG after his ablation that he shouldn't drink any wine.... unless it was a good one. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was recently considering gall bladder surgery (not needed after all, thank goodness) and talked to the anaesthetist. Because of my history of AF, even though I haven't had it for 11½ years since ablations in Bordeaux, he said he would put an extra line in my neck so that he could give a big dose of potassium straight to my heart if necessary. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
David People have reported differing recovery times here. I had paroxysmal AF for many years and as time went on the episodes lasted longer, and happened more often, until eventually they all joined up. I had persistent AF for 18 months, then went to Bordeaux in January 2003. I was completely back to normal 3 days after ablation.and touch up, and felt great. 4 months later I was scubaby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Mary Rae I had persistent AF for 18 months before my ablation and touch up in January 2003 in Bordeaux and have been in nsr ever since - almost 12 years. The procedure was in its early days at that time but I still had a good result because I had one of the best EPs in the world, Prof. Haissaguerre. I eat and drink whatever I want, exercise moderately and have no triggers. I do get lots oby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Researcher I think that Lesley meant that it is early days since her Bordeaux ablation. Gill Oops! George got in just ahead of me!by Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Lesley I do hope that your ablation is successful. I am so grateful to the doctors in Bordeaux for giving me 11½ years of nsr. In 2002 when I first consulted Prof. Haîssaguerre only two people in UK were doing ablations, and they had only just started. I hadn't found this board at that time so didn't know the importance of choosing a skilled and experienced EP but I had doneby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lesley Who did your previous ablations, and where? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon >>I'm not sure how long ago Prof Haissaguerre noted your particularly toxic and difficult to quiet down CS<< It was in January 2003. He said that he isolated the pulmonary veins, did the roof line, and the line from the LIV to the mitral annulus. He said after the first ablation that he had done everything that it was possible to do. So I think he did not attemptby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Shannon He also told me that Bordeaux's long term success rates for persistent AF were not good, and that I had been very lucky. I asked him which piece of research he was referring to and he just said "Bordeaux's own publications". From what I have read this is certainly not the case. What is your view? Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Today I had my annual checkup at King's College Hospital in London. I have been in nsr since my ablation and touch up in Bordeaux 11½ years ago but I get huge numbers of ectopics. I usually see a Consultant EP that I work very well with but he has moved to another hospital so I saw a new one, young and keen. During the discussion I told him that if ever AF recurred I would want to be reby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Denver Congratulations! Good to hear from another old timer. I am just ahead of you on this road - 76 years old and have had 11½ years of nsr since my ablation and touch up in Bordeaux, no medication, though I do get a lot of ectopics sometimes. I can't match your exercise routine but I do work out three times a week and do lots of stretching. I am currently in Cozumel scuba diviby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Iatrogenia I have been in nsr for over 11 years since my ablation in Bordeaux. The first year after the ablation I had a few ectopics but the number has increased almost every year since then. I sometimes get over 9,000 on a 24 hour Holter. The docs say they are a nuisance but not harmful. They used to be very uncomfortable, like being kicked in the chest every few seconds and I was considby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lou Great idea, I'm up for a reunion in Bordeaux any time. Though it's a lot easier for me to get to than most people here on the board! Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Aldona Very happy for you. I well remember your trips to Bordeaux and, like you, I think those doctors are wonderful. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Doreen Since my ablations in Bordeaux 11 years ago I have been able to eat and drink whatever I want with no problems. I happily dine out with reckless abandon! Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb After his ablation in Bordeaux, BarryG was told by Dr. Hocini not to drink any wine - unless it was a good one! Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been in NSR for over 11 years since ablation and touch up in Bordeaux in January 2003 but there is a question that has bothered me for a while. The general wisdom on the board seems to be that if you need a cardioversion you should get to the ER within 48 hours, or maybe even 24 hours. Three years ago I had an allergic reaction to a painkiller after knee surgery and my heart rhythm wasby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Erika In published research papers they give the age range of the people in the study. I have seen at least one from Bordeaux which included people over 80. Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
McHale When BarryG was in Bordeaux a few years ago Dr Hocini told him that she cringed when she thought about what they did five years ago. Barry and I agreed that I had a 'cringe ablation'! Gillby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pour encourager les autres.... Tuesday, January 7th 2003, Bordeaux, first ablation by Prof. Haissaguerre after years of paroxysmal and 18 months of persistent AF. AF recurred Friday morning. 2nd ablation done 4 hours later at no extra cost. He said that the AF may well have stopped by itself but since I had travelled so far he did the second one right away. He thought one of the lines miby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans I would like to add my thanks to all the rest. I didn't find the forum until after my ablation in Bordeaux in early 2003 but have still benefitted hugely from all the information here. This board is the most sane corner of the mostly insane Internet! The AFib Report keeps me up to date on the latest research and if ever 'the beast' returns I will be well informed to maby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just want to agree with what Shannon and others said - go to Dr Natale even if it means inconvenience and waiting for several months. I had highly symptomatic longterm persistent AF and live in UK. I went to Bordeaux because Professor Haissaguerre, like Dr Natale, is one of the best in the world. It involved flights, hotels and expense and still took 2 ablations to fix it but I have neverby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM
MikeJ I asked my EP at King's College Hospital in London to do a referral to Bordeaux, which he did, faxing my records there. Afterwards he did all the aftercare, and I still see an EP there once a year for a checkup. Regarding whose hands are on the catheters, in the NHS you don't really have any say in the matter. Even if you asked, I don't think they would be able to giby Gill - AFIBBERS FORUM