Please DO NOT INTERRUPT your blood thinners (anticoagulants - ie Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa or warfarin) for AT LEAST THREE MONTHS. Your risk of stroke is higher in the first three months after Atrial Fibrillation ablation. You must postpone any elective and non-emergent procedure that require interruption of the blood thinners for three months after Atrial Fibrillation ablation. 

 

Plan to take the blood thinners lifelong unless directed otherwise.  Despite successful ablation, stroke can occur in patients who have Atrial Fibrillation.  If you experience any bleeding that necessitates interruption of blood thinners, please contact our office immediately. 


Please take acid reflux medicine (i.e., pantoprazole, omeprazole, or Pepcid/famotidine) twice a day for one month to prevent esophageal complication from ablation. 

Common Symptoms After Ablation:

It may take up to eight weeks for the ablated (or damaged) regions of heart tissue to recover. During the initial weeks following your ablation, you can still experience arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). You may need various types of treatment at this time, such as anti-arrhythmic medication. You may experience any of the following signs:

- Mild chest aches

- Skipping heartbeat

- Faster heartbeat


Recovery Guidelines:

  1. If you are discharged home on the same day of the procedure, please complete bedrest for the first 12-24 hours after ablation.  
  2. Activity as tolerated after 24 hours. 
  3. Do not drive for 48 hours after discharge. 
  4. Do not lift more than 10 lbs. for 2 days. 
  5. No vigorous activity, strenuous lifting/pushing/pulling for 2 days. 
  6. You may shower 24 hours after the procedure.  Avoid tub baths, swimming, or soaking in a hot tub for one week.  You may remove the dressings after your shower. 
  7. You may have some bruising or tenderness around catheter site incisions, which is normal.   Please report to our office if you develop severe pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, drainage. 
    1. Call your doctor’s office at (812)242-3175 in the following instances: 
    • If you notice change in color, temperature, or sensation of legs. 
    • If you experience fever, chills, difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, unexplained weakness, or any other neurological symptoms in the 30 days after the procedure.

       9. Please go to the ER if you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing. 


Pain Control After Surgery Guide: 


How much pain am I feeling? 

What medication should I use to feel better? 

Mild Pain 

  • My pain is barely noticeable, and it has little impact on my daily activities. 
  • I am aware of my pain, which distracts me, yet I can still move around (sit up, walk, stand). 
  • Non-medication therapies 
  • Non-opioid oral medications - You may take these to control mild to moderate pain when needed. 
Moderate Pain 

  • Even when I rest, my discomfort is hard to ignore and gets worse. 
  • My pain keeps me from doing the things I usually do. 
  • Non-medication therapies 
  • Non-opioid drugs - You may be instructed to take them consistently throughout the day as opposed to as needed. 
Severe Pain 

  • Unable to perform my everyday tasks because I have to deal with my pain. 
  • My body is writhing in agony, and I can't sleep.  
  • Nothing else matters since my suffering is at its worst. 
  • Please call your doctor’s office at (812)242-3175 


Reference: 

“Adult Pain Management.” ACS, www.facs.org/for-patients/safe-pain-management/adult-pain-management.