Sorry to hear about the failed cardioversion. I have been living with the paroxysymal version of afib for about 6 years. Mine is controlled with a calcium channel blocker. Since the advent of the Calcium meds I have had no episodes. Prior to these meds we tried to control it with Digoxin. That didn't do the trick but even though the episodes occured I have never needed to have a cardioversion. My cardiologist has me on childrens aspirn.

Regarding the ablation there are two types available the first uses a cauterizer that attempts to "burn" the area of the AV node that is the problem. The second is a cryogenic version. The people that I know that have had this done seem to have good results. As the procedure was described to me you are awake and the cardiologist stimulates various places in the AV node area to try to throw the heart into arythmia. Having found the area it is then cryogenically destroyed.

This may be an option you want to discuss with your cardiologist. By the way I'm glad you stuck to your guns on the cardiologist, mine has helped me tremendously.

Good Luck