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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
confused
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
confused
by thinking, May 12, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 33 yr. old female. I have been diagnosed with SVT. Generally (over the last 3 years), my heart begins racing once every 2-3months at approximately 150-170 beats per minute for usually 35 to 90 minutes. Palpitations and slight lightheadedness are the only symptoms. I take verapamil when it occurs, and on only one occasion has the medication not worked and I went to Hospital for the Adenosine injection. My Cardiologist is strongly recommending catheter ablation if I want to become pregnant, as he feels it could pose a problem. I have been contemplating this now for 2 years and am slowly driving myself crazy. If I am not on drug thereapy (I only take verapamil as needed), should I still consider the surgery? I understand fully the risks and the potential benefits, however something still holds me back. Is my condition serious enough to get the ablation, or is this option usually for people with more severe symptoms or who are on daily medication? I know it is impossible to know how SVT will act up during a pregnancy, however if I were to become pregnant could my current symptoms cause serious problems? Thank you for any advice.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, May 13, 2002 12:00AM
Dear thinking,
It is really up to you if you want to proceed with the ablation or not. The major risk of the procedure is potential for a pacemaker. This is a low risk (<1% at our center) but is still possible. The success rate for most supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) is >90% and the advantage is never having to deal with the episodes or have to take medications again.
The seriousness of the condition would depend on your underlying heart health and symptoms you have with the palpitations. If you are passing out then it is more 'dangerous' from a driving standpoint. Otherwise SVT is generally benign and does not cause long-term complications. Pregnancy may increase the frequency of episodes but this is difficult to predict. So the bottom line is that it's up to you. Ablation is a fairly simple and low risk procedure that could make a big difference to you and I tend to favor this approach myself. Perhaps you can talk to others in this forum who have had ablations to gain further insight.
It is really up to you if you want to proceed with the ablation or not. The major risk of the procedure is potential for a pacemaker. This is a low risk (<1% at our center) but is still possible. The success rate for most supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) is >90% and the advantage is never having to deal with the episodes or have to take medications again.
The seriousness of the condition would depend on your underlying heart health and symptoms you have with the palpitations. If you are passing out then it is more 'dangerous' from a driving standpoint. Otherwise SVT is generally benign and does not cause long-term complications. Pregnancy may increase the frequency of episodes but this is difficult to predict. So the bottom line is that it's up to you. Ablation is a fairly simple and low risk procedure that could make a big difference to you and I tend to favor this approach myself. Perhaps you can talk to others in this forum who have had ablations to gain further insight.
Member Comments (2)
by debra21784, May 13, 2002 12:00AM
To: thinking
This really is a simple answer,get the ablatation done.It is quick,painless,simple and well worth not having the hassel of going to ER for Adenisone each time you get theses runs of SVT.Had it done for the same issues and don't regret it.It only takes an outpatient visit with a good EP doc ,you're home that afternoon and back to normal in 48 hours.
