Question Title: follow-up studies on patients having radio frequency catheter ablation

In July of 1991 I had a radio frequency catheter ablation at New England Medical Center in Boston. The reason for the ablation was ventricular tachycardia of unknown origin (a lesion in the right ventricular outflow tract). I had always been told it was SVT, but in 1989 I found out it wasn't SVT, it was true VT. I never passed out or had any symptoms other than the palpatations, which I guess was quite unusual (none of the medical staff believed I could sustain that arrythmia for hours and still walk and talk!) After taking mexilitine and quinidine etc. for a couple of years I had the ablation done - I think I was the second patient to ever have had this surgery (I was on the news), so I guess I was one of the pioneers? I begged for some sort of cure - even if it was open heart surgery! Life on meds was the pits because I had small children! I was fortunate enough to be under the care of Dr. Mark Estes, who was one of the pioneers in electrophysiology at NE Medical Center. He suggested trying the ablation and if it didn't work I could have the open heart surgery. The ablation procedure was a complete success and Dr. Estes told me I was d/c'd (after a year of follow-up) and to have a happy life! (I have!) I haven't required any additional follow-up by cardiology and continue to be medication and VT free. My question is this - I haven't seen many long term follow-up studies on radio frequency ablation (especially for my type of arrythmia). I wondered if there were any studies done that would discuss long term effects? Are there any? Do I have a normal life expectancy or will the damage done to the heart tissue by the ablation cause problems later on? I have asked my regular GP and she doesn't know the answers to my questions. I'm hoping one of you may know. No matter what, I am extremely thankful to the physicians who performed this procedure on me and for the procedure itself. It has given me my old life back again (for the past 8 years). I highly recommend it to anyone with similar arrythmias! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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Dear Bonnie,

Congratulations on your life-changing ablation. There is good evidence that once these type of arrhythmias are ablated successfully they do not return. There is absolutely no effect on life-span or heart function. You should drop a note to Dr. Estes to let him know how well you are doing.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.

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.

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