ablation for sick sinus syndrome

[helen]

I have sick sinus syndrome currently treated by pacemaker, verapamil and betablockers, which are not fully effective.  I have been told by my cardiologist that ablation is an option but that it is more difficult to treat SSS by this means.  Can you tell me why it is more difficult than other types of arrhythmias, and also if there are any statistics available or refs to the literature on success rates etc in this type of case?
Thanks for your help.

[C.N.]

Helen,

Your situation sounds identical to mine.  I have SSS also and have a pacemaker.  The other fast rhythms have been very hard to treat. We have not had success with any antiarrythmic meds. as of this point.  So I too have been wondering about the ablation procedure you are referring to.  Have you or are you on any medications at this point?  Has anything been able to help thus far?  Have long have you had this problem?  I feel badly that you are in my same shoes, but in a way its nice to know that someone else out there knows what it's like.  Hope to hear from you.

[C.N.]

Helen,

I apologize, I just reread what you wrote and noticed that you are in fact on beta blockers to treat this.  Why have they not tried antiarrythmics on you.  This is usually the step they take before suggesting ablation.  Did they tell you what kind of rhythms you have?  Do you have Afib?

[AZIN]

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[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Helen,
Sick sinus syndrome refers to a constellation of findings that usually produce symptoms.  The findings include fast heart rates, usually due to atrial fibrillation and slow heart rates due to the sinus node not firing at a fast enough rate.  Sick sinus syndrome is currently referred to as tachy-brady syndrome or sinus node dysfunction (SND).  SND in itself is not treatable by ablation.  If atrial fibrillation is the main problem it may be treated with ablation but as your doctor said this is somewhat more difficult than other types of ablations.  Afib ablation should probably only be done at major medical centers with experience in this type of ablation at this time.  In the future it may become a more wide-spread procedure.  You can find previous postings with much more information about atrial fibrillation ablation. Hope this helps.