Will an ablation for afib effect the accuracy of the ECG readings on the Sense?

[SunsetRunner]

I had an afib ablation one week ago. Afib detected on my watch two days later and still present 5 days later. Will the procedure impact the accuracy of the ECG reading?

[JohnnyRow]

I am certainly not a medical professional or expert by any means, but my understanding is that Afib can come back after ablation.  I suggest contacting you cardiologist soon.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you. I have. Cardioversion next.

[JohnnyRow]

Good luck - hope it goes well.  I had a cardioversion couple years ago - simple painless outpatient procedure; was out for maybe a minute; no after-effects except couldn't drive myself home.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for sharing your experience. For five years I’ve always converted on my own.

Praying I follow that pattern this time.

I have always felt the afib in the past. I don’t now but my watch shows constant since Sunday.

Just wondering if resetting my electric panel interfered with the algorithm Fitbit uses.

Again, thanks for your words of encouragement.

[JohnnyRow]

Getting confused trying to think about it.  I think the thumb and finger ECG is like lead 1 of 12-lead ECG, but the irregular heart rhythm notification has nothing to do with electrical signal and just looks at blood pulse at wrist.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for your insight.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you. I have. 

[pipernook]

I had an ablation to correct afib in August 2020.  At that time, the cardiologist told me that it often takes two or three months for the afib to go away.  In my case, it took two months and three days and I've been in rhythm ever since.  Hang in there!

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you for the encouragement.

[subashp]

There is a confusion I have about non-ecg AFib detection. How does PPG detect AFib? Is it just 120bpm+ when rest? It could be incorrect because there could be a Vtach.

Sinoatrial(SA) node malfunction leads to an AFib. Since it doesn't correctly depolarize, the P-wave wouldn't be present in the ECG. However, atrioventricular(AV) node would still be generating the signal leading to ventricular rhythms. Normal rate of AV node is ~40/min. So the blood will be pumped to the circulatory & respiratory system at 60 to 100bpm right? So there could be an AFib even when heart rate is lower or Vtach when AFib(< 120bpm) is detected. The immediate attention for both these are very different. So I am confused how PPG can detect AFib precisely. 

Any expert here who can explain the technology behind this?

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for your thoughts. I also have v tach.

[JohnnyRow]

@subashp 

From How do Fitbit Irregular Rhythm Notifications check for atrial fibrillation (AFib)? 

But  it seems to me this is a whole separate issue that might be better brought up as a separate topic rather than added on here.

[SunsetRunner]

Good information.