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Ron Boyle has had atrial fibrillation for twelve years. He recalls, “When I was in a-fib most of the time, getting upstairs was a problem. Just doing daily routine was a problem. Get up in the morning and being totally fatigued and that’s the way the day would start.” His previous medications were no longer stabilizing his symptoms and his life only became more difficult as time progressed.
Searching for answers, Ron turned to the internet for other options. He came upon a new type of catheter study at Mayo Clinic under the direction of Dr. Douglas Packer. Ron contacted Mayo Clinic and the staff informed him of the details of the study including the possibilities and side effects of placing the catheter in the procedure called a pulmonary vein ablation. After weighing his options, Ron decided to move forward with becoming part of the study.
Months after the ablation Ron expresses, “It really has changed my life,” and calls the results “spectacular”. He knows the outcome doesn’t happen to everyone but says, “Even if it didn’t turn out I wouldn’t have any regrets about coming to Mayo Clinic.” With his atrial fibrillation under control, his life has gone back to the way things were, and he is looking forward to being able to enjoy his trip to Alaska without the limitations he had last year.
any help for c.o.p.d my meds are not working that good
Here is a link to information on COPD: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916
I had ablasion on Dec 19th. No more nasty meds.
The surgery was 7 1/2 hours, I got sick from the anesthesia…..but the procedure was a success so far!!! Feeling better every day.
I had two ablations at University of Michigan. Unfortunately, neither of them worked.
My a-fib seemed like a crap shoot of various medications and theories until I was evaluated by Mayo Clinic. Now I am confident that there are no underlying causes for my a-fib and that my treatment plan is the right one for me. Thanks Dr. Hammill and everybody there for helping me.
I am in a fib. Have had 5 cardioversion. Had one oblation but my phrenic nerve was accidentally ablated. Caused breathing problems. Did not have this done at Mayo. I do not no what to do.
We are checking on this for you.
I have been in afib since the first week of Dec. 2012. I had a cardioversion on 1/3/13, was fine for a day & a half & it came back. My doctor wants me to take Multaq 2x daily & have another cardioversion in 2 weeks. I’m very afraid of having a stroke. I have high bp & high cholesterol; have had 3 TIA’s in the past. Any suggestions, comments, assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Annabelle, we are sorry to hear about your medical problems. Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. The numbers can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org/ under “request an appointment.”
I have had afib for for a while but the past 8 months its been every day, trouble functioning, breathing or sleeping…I am on asprin and klonopin for anxiety but no relief, please help me get my life back.
Val, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. The numbers can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org/ under “request an appointment.”
I was first diagnosed with AF when I was 18 in 1976 while attending Navy bootcamp. I am nearly 54.5 years now. Is there any hope for me with this many years in being in AF? Approaching 37 years now. I have been asking my HMO about an ablation or conversion. I was briefly in normal sinus rhythm when I was cardioverted then at 18. I reverted back after a few days. I am asymptomatic and when I undergo strenuous activity my heart appears to beat in normal rhythm and AF returns upon slower rate. The Navy doctors who performed the procedure concluded “etiology unknown”. Btw, they fouled up the cardiocath by losing the tip of the cather near one of my valves. They had to run 2 more cathers up both my arm veins to retrieve it and then cut it out of my left axilla.
Peter, we have received your post. Unfortunately, , we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. The numbers can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org/ under “request an appointment.”
My mother was diagnosed with Arterial Fibrillation and they want to give her Coumaden. Could you tell me if there is a safer blood thinner or safer alternative such as surgery to correct Arterial Fibrillation?
Hello, Kathy. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a second opinion or recommendations for your mother’s specific condition. One surgical alternative is cardiac ablation which can correct heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
I am a 71 year old male. I feel really fortunate. I went in for a routine physical a couple of weeks ago. My blood pressure was normal and my pulse was 68. Five minues later I was in and out of A-Fib and my pulse rate had jumped to 154. I got an EKG in the office and it showed Atrial Flutter. I was given a Beta Blocker to get the rate down. It didn’t work and I was still in A-Fib when I saw the Cardiologist a couple of days later. I was then admitted to the hospital and had a conversion. Two days later I had an Ablation therapy and I was told that it is 95% preventative for my problem. The one complication I experienced was from the Beta Blocker. It drove my pulse down to the low forties and also caused irregular heartbeats. While trying to get offf of it, it also drove up my blood pressure 50-60 points. I also have asthma and it made that worse too. I also started to feel angina. I don’t have a history of high blood pressure. I don’t understand why Beta Blockers are not banned. My experience and belief is that they cause far more harm than good. It could be that whenever anyone has a heart attack the drug is not blamed and therefore not part of the statistics. What is your opinion of Beta Blockers? Have you thought that one out?
Once ablated what are the chances of having A-Fib return. I have read of hidden pathways and such. I was recently diagnosed with A-Fib, and am currently on medication to control. Not sure if the meds are working and just wanting to check all my options.
I have been in afib for about 6 months and was feeling ok with meds ,diltiazem and imdur ,now it seems I have more shortness of breath and seems to be getting worse when Igo walking and have to go up hills ,I do not have copd.