Re: ablation?

Posted By D.O. on December 14, 1998 at 11:23:02:

In Reply to: ablation? posted by sandra on December 14, 1998 at 09:41:00:






What determines the difference between sinus tach and SVT?  I take lanoxin
and calan and had these episodes when wearing the monitor.  Rapid heartrate
of 120-160 sometimes lasting for 2-3 hours.
What is the procedure call ablation?  What is accomplished by this procedure
and how involved is it?
What is a catheter-based procedure?  What is accomplished by this preceudre
and how involved is it?
Do these procedures require being put to sleep or sedated?
How serious is this condition?
What level of concern should I have for either of these procedures?
Thanks
Hi Sandra,
I will leave the doctor answer your questions, but I can tell you a little about the ablation.  It is called Radio Frequency Ablation and they insert catheders into your right groin vein into the right side of your heart (usually) and map out your heart's electrical impulses.  The groin area will be sterile and numb.  The catheders have electrodes at end of them and the electrophysiologist (E.P.) maps the electrical impulses of your heart.  S/he can get your heart into the arrhythmia (hopefully) and ablate (kill) that part of the tissue causing the problem by applying the Radio Frequency, thus eliminating the arrhythmia.  It is in a controlled environment and the risk is very low.  You should discuss your risks with your E.P. because s/he is the one who is most aware of what type of SVT you may have (if known).  The skill level of the E.P. determines how your ablation goes, so find a well known one.
As far as being sedated, you are just supposed to be lightly sedated, but I went A-Fib and was put to sleep so the paddles could be used to get me back in a normal rhythm.  This sounds bad, but it isn't.  It is quite common to have this happen because of all the stimulating the E.P. is doing with the electrodes.  I've never gone A-Fib before the ablation and HAVEN'T after either, so I'm not even concerned.  I don't remember anything!  Well, a few things, but it was here and gone before I knew it.  You are only supposed to be lightly sedated though.  Don't worry about it, it is a piece of cake.  We can be thankful how far they have come with medical procedures because it is low risk and takes care of the problem (in most cases).  The procedure time varies, but it takes anywhere from 2 - 4 hours I guess.  Mine took a little over two hours.  It depends on how fast they find the arrhythmia and map out your heart.  Believe me, it will be over before you know it!  It is actually really cool watching the wires in your heart area.  Well, I got to watch for a while before I went to la la land!
They always told me the SVTs aren't life threatening, they are just an inconvenience.  Only your physician can determine your situation.  You can do the Valsalva Maneuver to try and get yourself out of the arrhythmia.  The Valsalva Manuever is when you bear down like you are having a bowel movement.  That always worked for me.  As a last resort, you could put your face in cold water.  I never had to do this, but was givin to me as a last resort.  There is another one with the Carotid, but I never did this and was discouraged against it because of possibly not doing it properly.  I don't mess around with that.
Good luck and feel free to e-mail me.
D