Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

[kyoshoman]

I have many PVC's daily.  They make me uncomfortable when they occur in couplets and triplets.  Has anyone on this chat had this procedure.  If so did it fix the problem.

[ireneo]

You'll find many people on the heart rhythm community that have had ablations. I've had 3 but not for PVC's. Mine was to correct atrial tachy and flutter. Many cardiologists are not eager to do an ablation for PVC's because in a structurally normal heart, they're not dangerous. I've read PVC's are more difficult to ablate. In my case, they were able to go in, trigger the tachy, map the problem areas and then ablate. PVC's are like hiccups, pretty sporadic and would be difficult to pin down. Has your cardio recommended an ablation?

[kyoshoman]

My cardiologist said if I wanted to have the ablation he would schedule it but he though meds may reduce it to a manageable level.  I just went on Varapmil 240mg.  Previously I was on 120.  This may help but I want this to be gone.

[kyoshoman]

Is the procedure uncomfortable to go through?

[twinbee]

You are sedated throughout the ablation. The only problem I had was that my back hurt for having to lay flat for so long. I also had slight chest pain for about a day whenever I took a deep breath. I had no groin pain or bleeding. My ablation was done for a-fib and flutter. Lucky you that you have a EP that is willing to do an ablation for PVC's. The EP's I have seen and talked to will only do one for PVC's if you get thousands of them a day, and only if it severely affects your life. Good Luck!

[tinkeydoo]

I had an ablation done 4 weeks ago- No more afib which I had for 7 months- I went to University of Penn- one of the best.  My procedure was 8 hrs and I was asleep for almost all of it. My back hurt from being still but they give pain meds.

Good luck to you