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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Ventricular Tachycardia
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Ventricular Tachycardia
by VTBen, Oct 14, 2000 12:00AM
I'm confused on whether my condition is dangerous or not. I get short runs of of VT, always less than 15 beats. And I also get PVC's in Bigeminy cycles. From reading the archive, some people say that this is a much more serious matter. But others say, it's not dangerous. I have a completley normal and sound heart, except for the VT and PVC's. Is this condition dangerous in a case like mine?
I have Two more quick questions, that I could not find direct answers to on the archive.
1.Can PVC's be fixed with ablation.
2. How long does it take for a heart to completly heal from an ablation?
Thank you so much for this service!
Dan
I have Two more quick questions, that I could not find direct answers to on the archive.
1.Can PVC's be fixed with ablation.
2. How long does it take for a heart to completly heal from an ablation?
Thank you so much for this service!
Dan
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Oct 14, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Dan,
It is understandable that there is some confusion in this area. This is still an evolving area of medicine and we don't have all the answers. This is what we do know. PVCs are common and are not dangerous. They are due to "extra" beats of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). They do not alter lifespan or cause heart problems. In some circumstances where they bother people they can be treated with medication or in extreme circumstances with ablation. The recovery following ablation is geneerally very short.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is multiple rapid beats also coming from the lower chambers. VT is not generally associated with PVCs. Depending on the duration of VT and the underlying health of the heart will determine the treatment. In normal hearts usually only medication (e.g. beta blockers) is needed. In hearts with underlying problems more intensive treatment is needed including sometimes an implantable defibrillator (ICD). Ablation of VT may be done if the focus can be isolated. Hope this helps clarify things.
It is understandable that there is some confusion in this area. This is still an evolving area of medicine and we don't have all the answers. This is what we do know. PVCs are common and are not dangerous. They are due to "extra" beats of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). They do not alter lifespan or cause heart problems. In some circumstances where they bother people they can be treated with medication or in extreme circumstances with ablation. The recovery following ablation is geneerally very short.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is multiple rapid beats also coming from the lower chambers. VT is not generally associated with PVCs. Depending on the duration of VT and the underlying health of the heart will determine the treatment. In normal hearts usually only medication (e.g. beta blockers) is needed. In hearts with underlying problems more intensive treatment is needed including sometimes an implantable defibrillator (ICD). Ablation of VT may be done if the focus can be isolated. Hope this helps clarify things.
