Junctional Rhythm

Posted By Dee on January 08, 1999 at 19:05:39:







Hi Dr. DLB,
Happy New Year.  I had an ablation in October PSVT.  I thought when visiting the E.P. afterwards, he said I had Sinus Node Reentry.  Now, I'm not so sure that is what he said.  There were so many words exchanged, I could be confused.  Can you tell by this letter to my cardiologist if this ablation was for Sinus Node Reentry?  Here it is:
Blah, blah, blah. We found that she had paroxymsal supraventricular tachycardia at a rate of approximately 150-180
beats per minute, which was atrial in origin. Mapping demonstrated the site of origin in the high right atrium, near the
sinus node, and this tachycardia was successfully ablated with radiofrequency energy. There were no complications.
Although this lady does have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and will most likely continue to need a beta blocker to
control the hyperseensitivity to adrenergic stimulation, she also had a paroxymsal atrial tachycardia, which I believe we
have ablated. I am hopeful that her symptoms of palpitations will be greatly improved. For now, I have recommeded
that she continue taking Tenormin 25 mg per day. Blah, blah blah.
Now does this sound like an AV node problem or a sinus node reentry thing? I will ask for clarification the
14th, but I thought for sure during a visit he said sinus node reentry.
Can you possibly tell from reading this? It doesn't have anything more descriptive in there for my cardiologist, so I'm
sure a cardiologist knows exactly what it means. The reason I ask this is because I've experienced SVTs since my ablation.  I returned my event monitor yesterday.  I called the E.P.'s office to see if it was O.K. and if they had enough data.  Well, Barb (p.a. I deal with wasn't in, so Mary called me back the next day).  She said they had some really good strips and I could return the monitor.
She said the strips showed SVT and junctional rhythm.  My heart rates were 150 or around that area.  I was aware of the SVT, but the junctional rhythm is new to me.  I've been diagnosed with "cardiac dysrhythmia-resolved" during one of my E.R. visits and understand they are similar.  Also, I understand that Sinus Node Reentry and junctional rhythm are two separate problems.  I also have the IST (I know how you love this, but that was the diagnosis).
I really hope I misunderstood the Sinus Node Reentry problem because that could mean three separate problems for me.  I would appreciate if you could give an opinion on this.  I definitely don't want any diagnosis because I have that, just an opinion.  I tend to think since it states "atrium in origin" it isn't a Sinus Node Reentry problem (cross my fingers).
Thanks,
Denise
:-)