Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Ablation
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Ablation
by VTBen, Jun 11, 2001 12:00AM
I've had 24 burns applied to my heart over several radio frequency cathter ablations. They were done to correct SVT and an attempt to correct non-sustained Idiopathic VT.
24 burns seesm like a lot. My questions are:
How many burns can the heart handle before it would be to much damage?
How many burns have been applied in these procedures in the past?
Are there any problems that may arise from all these ablated spots in the future?(I have no problems a year later)
Should I avoid further abaltion attempts due to "too many" burns in my case?
Thank You
24 burns seesm like a lot. My questions are:
How many burns can the heart handle before it would be to much damage?
How many burns have been applied in these procedures in the past?
Are there any problems that may arise from all these ablated spots in the future?(I have no problems a year later)
Should I avoid further abaltion attempts due to "too many" burns in my case?
Thank You
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Jun 11, 2001 12:00AM
Dear bmh,
There is not really a set number of burns that is "too many". Remember that ablation catheters are only about 4 mm at the tip and the surface area of the heart is well over 5000 square mm. It depends on where the location of the burns are as well as the duration and temperature of the ablations. The number of burns we do per case varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case from 1 to over 100 spots. One ablation in a critical spot can result in a cure whereas hundreds of burns in other areas may do nothing at all. Hope this helps out your mind at ease.
There is not really a set number of burns that is "too many". Remember that ablation catheters are only about 4 mm at the tip and the surface area of the heart is well over 5000 square mm. It depends on where the location of the burns are as well as the duration and temperature of the ablations. The number of burns we do per case varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case from 1 to over 100 spots. One ablation in a critical spot can result in a cure whereas hundreds of burns in other areas may do nothing at all. Hope this helps out your mind at ease.
Anyway, for anyone considering having an ablation done, in my opinion it's really important to have it done in a large medical center where they have the best and newest equipment and have done many, many ablations before yours. There is so much than can go wrong and you have to be able to trust their reactions.
ANOTHER AFIB MED IS CALLED TYKOSIN, IT IS STILL VERY NEW JUST
APPROVED IN OCTOBER OF 1999, I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IT WAS TRIED ON IN THE BALTIMORE AREA BUT IT DID NOT WORK FOR ME, IT
IS CONSIDERED A MED FOR AFIB, I DO NOT HAVE IT BUT SOME A FIB MEDS ARE USED TO HELP SVT'S IT WAS WORTH A TRY, MAYBE YOU CAN ASK YOUR DR. ABOUT I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK, HANG IN THERE, TACHY
It is also so interesting to hear stories that I can relate to. I also ended up with a rate-responsive pacemaker. I am only 33, but I don't regret it. I developed sick sinus syndrome as a result of the ablation, which means my heart beats way too slow or way to fast. I now have a-fib and I'm treated with amiodarone. I have gone through many anti-arrythmics with no change in rhythms, including the new tykison. Now Im on amiodarone which Im not too happy about. Too many serious side-effects. I may end up having to have another ablation.
Anyway, it is good to hear about all of you. Regular people hear my story and are shocked, but with all of you I just feel normal. Like we are just all in it together, really.