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I’m Still A-Fib-Free: Steve’s A-Fib Recurrences and Touch-up Ablations 2019-2026
I realized that it’s been about 5 years since I shared my Atrial Fibrillation updates with the readers of A-Fib.com. Since 2021, I’m blessed to be free of A-Fib once again. That was the year that I had recurrence of my A-Fib 20 years after my initial catheter ablation and was cured in Bordeaux, France. You can read my early story here. But for now, let me take you back to 2019.
2019: My A-Fib Returns after 20 years
Steve S. Ryan, PhD; A-Fib-Free (again) since 2021
In 2019, my A-Fib recurred after 20 wonderful A-Fib-free years. My A-Fib recurrence didn’t come as much of a surprise.
My catheter ablation back in 1998 was primitive compared to what EPs are doing today. I had what was called at that time a “focal point catheter ablation”. They actually ablated inside just one of my pulmonary veins (PVs) to eliminate the A-Fib signal source. (Today they don’t ablate inside a PV anymore because of the possible danger of causing stenosis/swelling of the PV.)
Choosing a Touch-up Ablation Rather Than A-Fib Drugs
I was asymptomatic and was offered the treatment option of just taking A-Fib drugs. I chose instead to have a modern “touch-up” catheter ablation performed August 1st, 2019 by Dr. Shephal Doshi at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica, CA.
My A-Fib catheter ablation went off without a hitch. I was in the cath lab by 8 am, out by 11 am, discharged by 5 pm and home by 6 pm. I felt great! (but no heavy lifting or workouts for two weeks.
Comparing My RF Catheter Ablations: 1998 vs 2019
When I developed paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in 1997, I was very symptomatic. This time, in 2019, I didn’t have any symptoms—instead my A-Fib was detected by my tiny, inserted Medtronic Reveal LINQ loop monitor/recorder (placed just under the skin on your chest).
Since 1998, the treatment of A-Fib by catheter ablation has advanced by light years including 3-D Mapping, ablation systems and catheter technologies.
My last ablation 21 years ago in Bordeaux lasted eight+ hours. This one at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA took only 2-3 hours.
In Bordeaux, I was in the hospital for 9 days (mostly for observation, and a “touch up” second EP lab visit). In 2019, I was in and out in 12 hours.
The Following Week Recurrence: Install a Pacemaker?
One morning in the following week at 6:27 am unbeknownst to me, my LINQ recorder captured an A-Fib episode—a seven-second pause. Dr. Doshi wanted to install a pacemaker right away but I decided to wait and see. It’s not uncommon for A-Fib to reoccur during your three-month blanking period. Your heart is learning to beat again in normal sinus rhythm. So I didn’t panic. It was the right choice for me.
My 2-Month Post-Op: All is Good
I felt fine. I haven’t had an A-Fib episode for a month. My ECG looked perfect. Dr. Doshi took me off my anticoagulant (Xarelto). Yippee! A life free of A-Fib is truly a blessing. (Spoiler: At least for a few years.)
…Continue reading->...Steve’s 2021 A-Fib Returns, a Touch-up Ablation and his 2026 Update.
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