Subject: Re: Re :Av node ablation and implantation of pacemaker
Forum: The Heart Forum

Topic Area: Tachycardia

Dear Cardio Dr.

I have been experiencing inappropriate sinus tachycardia for 17 years and although I am mildly asthmatic I was treated with beta blockers and until now this has successfully controlled the tachycardia. However in the last 18 months I have been plagued by asthma symptoms and the tachycardia has aslo got worse - it breaks through the beta blockade. As a result of this |I have been hospitalized a few times for the arrhythmia.

I had an electrophysiology study carried out and the doctors could not find an extra pathway and I was diagnosed with IST in February 1999. I then underwent a sinus node modification at the Royal Brompton Hospital , London which failed to solve the problem. I have been offered the chance of another ablation but if this fails I am told that my AV node must be destroyed and a permanent pacemaker implanted. I would be grateful if you could advise me on the following: Would I be pacemaker dependent following AV Nodal ablation and if so, what would happen if the pacemaker malfunctioned. Are pacemakers very reliable these days? I'm sorry this message is a bit long, but I,m really worried about the procedure. I have no choice but to go ahead as I've tried all the meds and my doc says this may be the price I'll have to pay to get rid of my symptoms. Thanks a lot for your time.

Dear annibrahim

If your AV node is ablated, you would be almost 100% dependent on the pacemaker. However, there are many people in this situation. Pacemakers today are very safe. When they fail, it is almost never suddenly, but gradually over months, allowing time for doctors to take corrective measures. Pacemaker technology has greatly improved over the last few years and continues to evolve.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

Follow Ups:

• Re :Av node ablation and implantation of pacemaker Ann Ibrahim 5/27/1999 (1)
  • Re: Re :Av node ablation and implantation of pacemaker CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 5/31/1999 (0)

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