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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Sinus Node 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
Sinus Node Ablation
by skippintime, Sep 15, 2002 12:00AM
I am diagnosed w/ sinus node disfunction. Also Sinus Node Re-Entry Tachycardia. Spells of Tachy 120 w/ drops to upper 50s- 60s for a few seconds, then back up to 110-120. I can feel as sensation of heart falling in my chest. It has been caught on event recordings. I also have PAC & PVC (PVC couplets & runs of 3 caught on monitor). During the drops I may have absent P waves. I have minimal aortic valve calcification, IVS at 1.33 cm, minimal Tricupsid & Mitral Reguritation EF 65-70 diagnosed by echo & MVP, PFO/ASD diagnosed via Cardiac Cath. The PFO is small & repair was not neccessary. Echo considered normal w/ these findings. Also have low blood pressure, dysautonomia.
The Palpitations bother me as I can feel them. My EP Doctor wants me to go to the UNMC here & have a EP test w/ possible ablation of sinus node. He don't do that sophisticated of procedure & felt UNMC had more experience. Don't like the risks involved, mainly pacemaker chance. Am 32 w/ small child.
My mom died from Massive Heart Attack at 54. I've been trying to take care of my heart health. I take Zocor 40 mg & it has worked ok, Chol 156 Tri 256 HDL 21 VLDL 51 LDL 85. Before Chol 257. HDL still bad.
MEDS 50mg Toprol, 81mg Asprin, 40mg Zocor, 1mg Ativan 3x
My questions are:
Is an ablation of sinus node necessary? What could that offer me? I've read it can make dysautonomia worse?
What does Absent P waves mean? Is that dangerous?
Is the PVC's Dangerous? I get these runs once every couple months, a couple coughs stop them.
What alternatives raise HDL? Red Wine? Can't do Niacin!
Thank You
The Palpitations bother me as I can feel them. My EP Doctor wants me to go to the UNMC here & have a EP test w/ possible ablation of sinus node. He don't do that sophisticated of procedure & felt UNMC had more experience. Don't like the risks involved, mainly pacemaker chance. Am 32 w/ small child.
My mom died from Massive Heart Attack at 54. I've been trying to take care of my heart health. I take Zocor 40 mg & it has worked ok, Chol 156 Tri 256 HDL 21 VLDL 51 LDL 85. Before Chol 257. HDL still bad.
MEDS 50mg Toprol, 81mg Asprin, 40mg Zocor, 1mg Ativan 3x
My questions are:
Is an ablation of sinus node necessary? What could that offer me? I've read it can make dysautonomia worse?
What does Absent P waves mean? Is that dangerous?
Is the PVC's Dangerous? I get these runs once every couple months, a couple coughs stop them.
What alternatives raise HDL? Red Wine? Can't do Niacin!
Thank You
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-KE, Sep 15, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Skippintime,
You have been diagnosed with sinus node re-entry tachycardia. This condition is relatively rare, I would recommend seeing a specialist at an academic institution such as the Cleveland Clinic to ensure that this is actually what you have. The runs of PVCs and PACs don't sound particularly worrisome, given that your heart seems for the most part normal except for the PFO.
If you do have sinus node re-entry tachycardia beta blockers, calcium channel blocker and digitalis can be helpful. Radiofrequency ablation is also highly successful. Again, I would seek another opinion at an academic center to ensure the correct diagnosis.
Your total cholesterol and LDL seem to be at an acceptable level, however your triglycerides should ideally be below 150. Zocor is an excellent drug for people with increased cholesterol. Fibric acid derivatives such as gemfibrozil can lower triglycerides and raise HDL. However, I would first recommend exercise and dietary modification to help lower your triglyceride level and raise your HDL.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
You have been diagnosed with sinus node re-entry tachycardia. This condition is relatively rare, I would recommend seeing a specialist at an academic institution such as the Cleveland Clinic to ensure that this is actually what you have. The runs of PVCs and PACs don't sound particularly worrisome, given that your heart seems for the most part normal except for the PFO.
If you do have sinus node re-entry tachycardia beta blockers, calcium channel blocker and digitalis can be helpful. Radiofrequency ablation is also highly successful. Again, I would seek another opinion at an academic center to ensure the correct diagnosis.
Your total cholesterol and LDL seem to be at an acceptable level, however your triglycerides should ideally be below 150. Zocor is an excellent drug for people with increased cholesterol. Fibric acid derivatives such as gemfibrozil can lower triglycerides and raise HDL. However, I would first recommend exercise and dietary modification to help lower your triglyceride level and raise your HDL.
Thanks for your question,
CCF-MD-KE
I am a 34yr old female that has had the RadioFrequency ablation just 2 weeks ago! I have been having AVNRT symptoms for a couple years now and have been just self treating by coughing, drinking ice water, sticking my head in the freezer, and bearing down to stop my tachycardia episodes. Well, just a few months ago, one of my spells would not stop no matter what I tried and I was just sick of not knowing when and where this would happen to I elected to have an EPS(electrophysiological study) and if they could find the accessory pathway, they would ablate (burn) it while they were in there.
Well I haven't had an episode since. It was really quite painless and doesn't restrict you much after the procedure, I would recommend it to anyone that had the same problem if they were informed by a cardiologist that they were a good candidate (as mine told me). If you have any questions for me, please ask
CrzyMom756