Aa
Ablation question
Hello again. I'm 38, good health. I've had palps. for almost 7 yrs. In July I had a-fib for the first time. It was stopped by a Cardizem drip and I haven't had a-fib since. I had another echo, blood work and Holter monitor. Blood work and echo normal. The Holter shows PAC's and atrial tach. My Dr. thinks the atrial tach. is what triggered the a-fib. I had been taking beta-blockers but they increased my palps and caused my BP to drop too low. so they stopped them.
He sent me to an EP dr. and he said I would be a good candidate for an ablation. He said I could take anti-arrhythmia meds but he didn't recommend them because they may not work and they have a lot of side effects. He said if the PAC's were coming from the same arrhythmia then they would be gone too if I got the ablation. But he said if my heart was quiet the day of the ablation, then they wouldn't be able to find anything.
He said this won't kill me and I can live with it, but he worries that over time everything will get worse and they'll have a hard time keeping me out of a-fib.
I feel like I have no other options but an ablation. He told me all the risks and I have 2 small children so I don't want to take any risks I don't need to. Are there any other options for me? Is it really possible to get rid of the PAC's? I've read how everyone else still has palps after an ablation.
He told me not rush and think about it and call him if I want to schedule. Is there anything else left for me?
Thanks, Sue
He sent me to an EP dr. and he said I would be a good candidate for an ablation. He said I could take anti-arrhythmia meds but he didn't recommend them because they may not work and they have a lot of side effects. He said if the PAC's were coming from the same arrhythmia then they would be gone too if I got the ablation. But he said if my heart was quiet the day of the ablation, then they wouldn't be able to find anything.
He said this won't kill me and I can live with it, but he worries that over time everything will get worse and they'll have a hard time keeping me out of a-fib.
I feel like I have no other options but an ablation. He told me all the risks and I have 2 small children so I don't want to take any risks I don't need to. Are there any other options for me? Is it really possible to get rid of the PAC's? I've read how everyone else still has palps after an ablation.
He told me not rush and think about it and call him if I want to schedule. Is there anything else left for me?
Thanks, Sue
I had an ablation done four weeks today. I was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia. I was at a wedding and had an attack. They called 911 and I passed out after 45 minutes and I was shocked. That had to have been one of the worse experiences I've ever medically have had! They normally just inject me with the heart medication to bring my heart back down to normal rhythm, but these guys decided differently since I was passed out and unresponsive. I was admitted, surprisingly since I'm usually always discharged right after the event. But, they founds some abnormalities in my EKG. After all tests were performed, I agreed to have the ablation done. I just turned 50 and felt it's time I put these episodes behind me once and for all.
After the ablation, I felt pretty good the next day. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I started to clean my house and I stressed out my heart by over-extertion. My doctor told me to call 911 and was admitted again for observation. I'm now having atrial tachycardia caused by POTS. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. My questions are:
Has anyone been diagnosed with this too and how serious do you this diagnosis is?
What was your recovery period after the ablation?
I wasn't given any restrictions or any recovery period. I stayed home from work for three weeks. Any type of exertion seems to stress my heart and beats more rapidly from the atrium. I have been feeling fatique more quickly since the ablation. I can only work part time hours until I can get back to normal routine. My chest has had a burning feeling whenever I breath in. I also hear each and every heart beat every second. Is this normal after the ablation?
I appreciate your comments. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
After the ablation, I felt pretty good the next day. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I started to clean my house and I stressed out my heart by over-extertion. My doctor told me to call 911 and was admitted again for observation. I'm now having atrial tachycardia caused by POTS. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. My questions are:
Has anyone been diagnosed with this too and how serious do you this diagnosis is?
What was your recovery period after the ablation?
I wasn't given any restrictions or any recovery period. I stayed home from work for three weeks. Any type of exertion seems to stress my heart and beats more rapidly from the atrium. I have been feeling fatique more quickly since the ablation. I can only work part time hours until I can get back to normal routine. My chest has had a burning feeling whenever I breath in. I also hear each and every heart beat every second. Is this normal after the ablation?
I appreciate your comments. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
I've been reading with interest the comments on the "success rate" of catheter ablations and on post-ablation problems.
I'm a 60 year old female who has been diagnosed as having paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The episodes began in the year 2000. Holter monitor results and EKGs indicate that I've had ectopic beats, PACs, and occasional SVT. I tried atenolol (with and then without lanoxin). It helped for about two years. Then, I tried Rhythmol, but only took it for two weeks because of the side effects. I've been taking Norpace CR since September of this year, but it doesn't seem to be helping consistently.
Recently, the EP recommended that I have a catheter ablation. I'm trying to get as much information as possible about the best place(s) to have one done and about the best people to perform one.
I already have the EP's point of view on this. But I think sometimes the best information comes from the people who have had the procedure done on them.
Since I live in Southern California, I'd especially like to hear from anyone who has had a catheter ablation preformed in this geographic area. Please let me know your age, what your diagnosis was, where you had the ablation done, who performed it, and how satisfied you are with the results.
I'd like to schedule the ablation soon. So, I'm eagerly awaiting your replies.
NHS
I'm a 60 year old female who has been diagnosed as having paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The episodes began in the year 2000. Holter monitor results and EKGs indicate that I've had ectopic beats, PACs, and occasional SVT. I tried atenolol (with and then without lanoxin). It helped for about two years. Then, I tried Rhythmol, but only took it for two weeks because of the side effects. I've been taking Norpace CR since September of this year, but it doesn't seem to be helping consistently.
Recently, the EP recommended that I have a catheter ablation. I'm trying to get as much information as possible about the best place(s) to have one done and about the best people to perform one.
I already have the EP's point of view on this. But I think sometimes the best information comes from the people who have had the procedure done on them.
Since I live in Southern California, I'd especially like to hear from anyone who has had a catheter ablation preformed in this geographic area. Please let me know your age, what your diagnosis was, where you had the ablation done, who performed it, and how satisfied you are with the results.
I'd like to schedule the ablation soon. So, I'm eagerly awaiting your replies.
NHS
Yep, I do believe it is because of the cardiomyopathy that they are being so cautious. After all those years of benign pvcs, it turned out that I was one of the rare ones : )
Hi Hankstar, Yes, they were able to ablate a foci in the RVOT. After the procedure the Dr. told us that she felt 70% confident that she successfully ablated a major foci. So that would fall right in line with what you have read. I am not certain what percentage my pvcs have decreased. I do know that I am multifocal and that it is presumed that I have (had) 2-3 major foci. I also know that on a previous holter I registered around 22000 ventricular ectopics, 3000 couplets, some runs, and very frequent bigeminy. Subsequent report showed frequent activity as well. This last report (mid Oct) showed about 6000 isolated pvcs, and only 54 couplets...marked improvement! The doctors are being extremely cautious and conservative because of cardiomyopathy issues. I've had benign pvcs for many years and have been on beta blockers on/off. Some success initially, but eventually seemed to be more problematic. Since the pvcs were benign, I was able to use BB on an as needed basis, and that worked great.
Last year after an annual checkup, my EF had declined enough to indicate cardiomyopathy. That's a very long story, but the bottom line is that the doctors are confident that the CM was a result of the frequency of pvcs. After 3 months on Tambacor this year, EF improved 10%. Although the antiarrythmics appeared to be effective, I did not like the side effects, and knew I would have to take them forever. I also have MVP/MR and there is a possibility that the valve will need repair in the future. With that in mind, it would be ideal to have no CM and good EF.
I am very fortunate because my doctor is extremely conservative and would not recommend the procedure withou very careful consideration. Although the pvcs are annoying, I have pretty much learned to live with them. Absent the CM issue, my doctor probably would designate them as benign. However, my records have been reviewed by MANY doctos and this seems to be the consensus.
It does take time for the heart to heal. In August,the pvc activity was markedly reduced. About week 6, the activity picked up. Event montitor and holter showed significant enough frequency to warrant further treatment. Otherwise, I face the RX again...UGH!!! Thanks for asking.
Oh, once the first foci was ablated, they did try to identify other foci, but my extra beats settled down. The doctor said the heart settled down immediately after she ablated, what is perceived to be, a major foci....
Last year after an annual checkup, my EF had declined enough to indicate cardiomyopathy. That's a very long story, but the bottom line is that the doctors are confident that the CM was a result of the frequency of pvcs. After 3 months on Tambacor this year, EF improved 10%. Although the antiarrythmics appeared to be effective, I did not like the side effects, and knew I would have to take them forever. I also have MVP/MR and there is a possibility that the valve will need repair in the future. With that in mind, it would be ideal to have no CM and good EF.
I am very fortunate because my doctor is extremely conservative and would not recommend the procedure withou very careful consideration. Although the pvcs are annoying, I have pretty much learned to live with them. Absent the CM issue, my doctor probably would designate them as benign. However, my records have been reviewed by MANY doctos and this seems to be the consensus.
It does take time for the heart to heal. In August,the pvc activity was markedly reduced. About week 6, the activity picked up. Event montitor and holter showed significant enough frequency to warrant further treatment. Otherwise, I face the RX again...UGH!!! Thanks for asking.
Oh, once the first foci was ablated, they did try to identify other foci, but my extra beats settled down. The doctor said the heart settled down immediately after she ablated, what is perceived to be, a major foci....
Hi Hankstar, Yes, they were able to ablate a foci in the RVOT. After the procedure the Dr. told us that she felt 70% confident that she successfully ablated a major foci. So that would fall right in line with what you have read. I am not certain what percentage my pvcs have decreased. I do know that I am multifocal and that it is presumed that I have (had) 2-3 major foci. I also know that on a previous holter I registered around 22000 ventricular ectopics, 3000 couplets, some runs, and very frequent bigeminy. Subsequent report showed frequent activity as well. This last report (mid Oct) showed about 6000 isolated pvcs, and only 54 couplets...marked improvement! The doctors are being extremely cautious and conservative because of cardiomyopathy issues. I've had benign pvcs for many years and have been on beta blockers on/off. Some success initially, but eventually seemed to be more problematic. Since the pvcs were benign, I was able to use BB on an as needed basis, and that worked great.
Last year after an annual checkup, my EF had declined enough to indicate cardiomyopathy. That's a very long story, but the bottom line is that the doctors are confident that the CM was a result of the frequency of pvcs. After 3 months on Tambacor this year, EF improved 10%. Although the antiarrythmics appeared to be effective, I did not like the side effects, and knew I would have to take them forever. I also have MVP/MR and there is a possibility that the valve will need repair in the future. With that in mind, it would be ideal to have no CM and good EF.
I am very fortunate because my doctor is extremely conservative and would not recommend the procedure withou very careful consideration. Although the pvcs are annoying, I have pretty much learned to live with them. Absent the CM issue, my doctor probably would designate them as benign. However, my records have been reviewed by MANY doctos and this seems to be the consensus.
It does take time for the heart to heal. In August,the pvc activity was markedly reduced. About week 6, the activity picked up. Event montitor and holter showed significant enough frequency to warrant further treatment. Otherwise, I face the RX again...UGH!!! Thanks for asking.
Last year after an annual checkup, my EF had declined enough to indicate cardiomyopathy. That's a very long story, but the bottom line is that the doctors are confident that the CM was a result of the frequency of pvcs. After 3 months on Tambacor this year, EF improved 10%. Although the antiarrythmics appeared to be effective, I did not like the side effects, and knew I would have to take them forever. I also have MVP/MR and there is a possibility that the valve will need repair in the future. With that in mind, it would be ideal to have no CM and good EF.
I am very fortunate because my doctor is extremely conservative and would not recommend the procedure withou very careful consideration. Although the pvcs are annoying, I have pretty much learned to live with them. Absent the CM issue, my doctor probably would designate them as benign. However, my records have been reviewed by MANY doctos and this seems to be the consensus.
It does take time for the heart to heal. In August,the pvc activity was markedly reduced. About week 6, the activity picked up. Event montitor and holter showed significant enough frequency to warrant further treatment. Otherwise, I face the RX again...UGH!!! Thanks for asking.
Sue, Count me in on successful ablations (Hi Glassheart-It'sME!)
I had an ablation for frequent pvcs in August and it was considered a success. I am scheduled to go back in November so they can try and ablate another foci as I am multi-focal. The doctors are being conservative and that's OK by me!! I have been on beta blockers and more recently Tambacor and Rythmol, but opted for the ablation rather than the medicine. Good luck...
I had an ablation for frequent pvcs in August and it was considered a success. I am scheduled to go back in November so they can try and ablate another foci as I am multi-focal. The doctors are being conservative and that's OK by me!! I have been on beta blockers and more recently Tambacor and Rythmol, but opted for the ablation rather than the medicine. Good luck...
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