EP study and ablation for atrial tach

[LynnSB]

After years of trying to find out what caused my brief but scary and lifestyle-if-not-life-threatening arrhythmias,an event recorder revealed atrial tach.I am amazed that a 2 lead recorder could reveal so much info but my doc says I have"very frequent PACS,atrial runs, non-sustained for along atrial tach, and inappropriate sinus tach, rare PVCs." In consult with an EP doc,he says the focus of the atrial tach appears to NOT be reentry but ectopic and coming from the pulmonary vein and is, they believe , amenable to an ablation.
I'm very excited about having the EP study/ablation and they think there is a "good chance" of a cure for my problem which would eliminate these horrible feelings ( the a-tach and atrial runs make me feel momentarily scared and sometimes weak).
Questions: 1.isn't a pulmonary vein focus a more difficult location for a successful ablation?
2.In general,what's the recovery time like for an ablation?
3. I live alone and just wonder what i have to avoid or watch out for afterwards.. how soon i can go back to work, etc. I know i need to talk to my docs about this and will when i see them but for now, any info in general would be greatly appreciated.

thanks so much!

Lynn

[Anne 35]

Hello Lynn,

I hope your head feels better.  I felt the flip flopping as well.  Mine lasted for  about two weeks, gradually getting fewer as the days past.  Don't let that worry you.  Get well soon.

Anne

[arthur]

Some PACs and/or PVCs after an ablation are very common.  It's caused by the irritation that the rf ablation procedure itself caused to tissue and nerves surrounding the area.  It is definitely "transient" and will subside with time (in my case a few weeks).  The important thing to focus on is the absence of your tachycardia. Take care.  -Arthur

[LynnSB]

The ablation itself took about 3 hours,I think... I was out of it but remember waking up several times, looking back at a nurse and announcing "my heart is beating really fast!" as if they needed me to tell them what was going on . hahahahah.. I heard a voice say, " we know.. just go back to sleep.."  I felt sleepy when I woke up but progressively better. I felt great within a few hours and went home.. no problemos.

I must say that I woke up this morning with a whopping headache and I've had some irregular heart "flip flops" all day which has depressed me a little. I talked to the EP doc this evening. He said it is common for PVCs and PACS to be worse "transiently" to use his word, after an ablation. he also said i might always have some palpitations but that my fast heart beats should be gone.He said when they gave me just a little adrenaline during the EP study, my heart rate went IMMEDIATELY up to about 210. and they zapped the right spot and looked and looked for 30 minutes for other problem areas but found none. I am trying not to be too worried about the palpitations . I am trying to be hopeful this will all be better.

But as far as the EP study/ablation itself -- I am a wuss and it was a piece of cake. No pain, nothing.. very easy.. the hardest part was getting soooo upset and nervous about it.. it really was easier than having a root canal !

[arthur]

Congratulations!  Join the club!  
I am very happy things worked out for you.  
-Arthur

[ValerieL]

That is wonderful news!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You made it easier for me to do it, thank you. I will have it done for sure now. I just got the authorization from my insurance, so in the next few weeks it will be me as well. Thanks for all of your support and help! I can't imagine life with a normal heart rhythm all the time.

Congratulations!

Valerie

[Anne 35]

That's great.  I am glad everything went so well. I am glad you are feeling good.  How long did it take?

Anne