Re: Tachycardia and ablation

Posted By Sal Scrimenti on July 31, 1999 at 17:54:54
A very close friend of mine recently went into the hospital to have the ablation performed for her tachycardia that she was diagnosed with.  She was very reluctant to go into the hospital and have this done.  According to her doctors, the ablation was a very safe, simple procedure where 99.99% of the people are cured of there arythmia.  To help discourage her choice of remaining on medicine and not doing the procedure, the two doctors told her what they thought of the medication.  Needless to say, they scared her with the side effects of the medication and told her that the medication can wear off and she could go into cardiac arrest, etc.  Well, my friend went in for this procedure and they were unable to get to the part of the heart to do the ablation.  They did an angiogram and she has no blockages.  Her only problem now is this tachycardia--which is enough.  The alternative given to her now is only medication, that same medication these two doctors denounced to the hills before the procedure.  She is very depressed and a wreck.  I am a loving friend who refuses to believe she has no options.  There must be someone out there who has seen the same situation and has successfully treated a patient.  Do you have any advice?  Have you ever heard of this happening?  Can you help?  Thank you
Salvatore Scrimenti

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1999 at 09:03:26
Dear Sal
Success rates of ablation are good but certainly not 100%. The medications, especially with long-term use, do have side effects. Her options are to try a repeat ablation procedure or to get by with a combination of medications that is least harmful.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.











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Tachycardia and ablation Sal 8/02/1999
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Re: Tachycardia and ablation CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 8/03/1999
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