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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Catheter Ablation
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Catheter Ablation
by VTBen, Sep 14, 2000 12:00AM
I've had three Catheter Ablations for Ventricular Tachycardia and to try and get rid of PVC's. I'm thinking about doing another ablation at a better hospital. My question is, When is it too much? I've heard that the radiation could be a problem. How many is too many, and what kind of risks occur from "too many ablations" ?
One more question. Isn't there a way to prevent VT and PVC's through a pace maker? wouldn't it be possible to ablate the normal electrical system above the ventricals, and then pace the heart artifically?
Thank You
Ben
One more question. Isn't there a way to prevent VT and PVC's through a pace maker? wouldn't it be possible to ablate the normal electrical system above the ventricals, and then pace the heart artifically?
Thank You
Ben
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Sep 14, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Ben,
There's not really a 'limit' on the number of ablations an individual can have. It's true that the radiation exposure is a limiting factor but for an average individual multiple ablation procedures would not add up to enough to be harmful. Remember that the doctors who do the procedure are doing this every day, day in and day out. (Of course they use lead shielding and monitor their radiation exposure very closely but it still adds up to more than you will ever receive).
The AV node can be ablated and the ventricle paced with a pacemaker but this would be a last resort only.
There's not really a 'limit' on the number of ablations an individual can have. It's true that the radiation exposure is a limiting factor but for an average individual multiple ablation procedures would not add up to enough to be harmful. Remember that the doctors who do the procedure are doing this every day, day in and day out. (Of course they use lead shielding and monitor their radiation exposure very closely but it still adds up to more than you will ever receive).
The AV node can be ablated and the ventricle paced with a pacemaker but this would be a last resort only.
My doctor has done many VT ablations. He claims that the chance of success is about 85%.
af