



Dr. Wilber Su Cavanaugh Heart Center, Phoenix, AZ







Carolyn Thomas, blogger and heart attack survivor; MyHeartSisters.org


Terry Traver, former A-Fib patient



Failed ablation

FAQs A-Fib Ablations: Improving or is My Ablation a Failure?

 FAQs A-Fib Ablations: Improving or Failure? 

Catheter Ablation

Catheter Ablation


It takes about three months to know if your ablation is a success. It takes that long for your heart to heal. For a period of time (which varies from patient to patient) your A-Fib may seem to get worse. Why?

Inflammation: This happens in some people because of the inflammation and trauma to the heart and body tissues caused by the catheter ablation burns and the poking around in your heart during the procedure. These can seem to exacerbate your A-Fib. (An ablation procedure doesn’t create new A-Fib producing areas in your heart, though it may stir up existing A-Fib areas temporarily.)

There is a tendency for ablated heart tissue to heal itself, re-grow the ablated area, reconnect, and start producing A-Fib signals again.

Gaps and Scar Tissue: Another reason you may still have A-Fib is because of gaps in the ablation lines. In the most common A-Fib ablation procedures used today, doctors try to create ablation lines around your pulmonary vein openings to isolate them from the rest of your heart. (A-Fib producing areas are usually found inside your pulmonary vein openings.) But it’s difficult making continuous, perfect ablation lines. Sometimes there are gaps in those lines which let A-Fib signals through. But as your heart heals, these gaps usually fill in gradually with scar tissue that reaches its thickest size at the end of three months.

Milestones: In general, if you’re in sinus rhythm after the third month, the chances are good you’ll stay in sinus rhythm. If you’re in sinus rhythm after the sixth month, the chances of a reoccurrence of A-Fib are even less.

Remember—it isn’t the end of the world if your ablation isn’t a total success. There is a tendency for ablated heart tissue to heal itself, re-grow the ablated area, reconnect, and start producing A-Fib signals again.

Second Ablation: Many people (as many as 15%-25%) have to go in for a ‘touch up’ ablation procedure (including myself). This second ablation is usually, though not always, easier than the first. Often all the doctor has to do is ablate any gaps that haven’t filled in or ablate where there has been re-growth/re-connection. This usually isn’t the doctor’s fault. Heart tissue is very tough and has a tendency to heal itself.

Return to FAQ Catheter Ablations

FAQs A-Fib Treatments: Catheter Ablation Procedures

Catheter ablation illustration at A-Fib.com

Catheter ablation


1. “I have a defective Mitral Valve? Is it causing my A-Fib? Should I have my Mitral Valve fixed first before I have a PVA?

2. “With the recent improvements in Pulmonary Vein ablation techniques, should I wait for a better technique? I’m getting by with my Atrial Fibrillation.”


4. I’’ve heard of Cryo (freezing) catheters for PVA(I) ablations. Are they good or better than the RF (Radio Frequency) catheters for ablations?

5. “How dangerous is a Pulmonary Vein Ablation procedure? What are my risks?

6. “During the ablation procedure A-Fib doctors actually burn within the heart with RF energy. How does this burning and scarring affect how the heart functions? Should athletes, for example, be concerned that their heart won’t function as well after an ablation?

7. “How dangerous is the fluoroscopy radiation during an ablation? I know I need a Pulmonary Vein Ablation (Isolation) procedure to stop my A-Fib—A-Fib destroys my life. I can’t work or exercise, and live in fear of the next attack. Antiarrhythmic meds cause me bad side effects. But I’m worried about being exposed to radiation during the ablation.


9. “What is an enlarged heart? Does it cause A-Fib?. I was told I can’t have a Pulmonary Vein Ablation (Isolation) procedure because I have an enlarged heart. Why is that?”






15. “After my successful Pulmonary Vein Ablation, do I still need to be on blood thinners like Coumadin or aspirin?

16. “I’ve had a successful ablation. For protection against potential stroke risk if my A-Fib re-occurs, which if better—81 mg baby aspirin or 325 mg?


18. “I love to exercise and I’m having a PVA. Everything I read says ‘You can resume normal activity in a few days.’ Can I return to what’s ‘normal’ exercise for me?

19. I have Chronic Atrial Fibrillation (the heart remains in A-Fib all the time). Am I a candidate for a Pulmonary Vein Ablation? Will it cure me? What are my chances of being cured compared to someone with Paroxysmal (occasional) A-Fib?


21.“Will an ablation take care of both A-Fib and Flutter? Does one cause the other? Which comes first A-Fib or Flutter?



24. “I was told that I will have to take an anticoagulant for about 2-3 months after my ablation. After all, if fibrillation episodes are reduced or eliminated after an ablation, shouldn’t there be even less need for a prescription anticoagulant rather than more?




Last updated: Thursday, September 8, 2016

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