Ablation Candidates

Last September I started to have SVE and PACs.  The Holter Monitor indicated 24,608 SVE beats in 24 hours.  Subsequently, there was an Echocardiogram and nuclear stress test that indicated my heart was normal and I was referred to an Electro-physiologist.  I was told I have a preliminary A- fib condition and the EP starting me with drugs that are supposedly mild with minimum side effects .  This includes Rythmol SR 225 MG twice per day and Metoprolol Succer 25 MG (a beta blocker) once per day.

For some reason the EP seemed to think that these drugs were a better form of treatment than the ablation procedure.  With my condition, the EP thought an ablation would have an 80% chance of success.  My concern is that the drugs are not a cure but only suppress the symptoms and I have questions as to what the long term effects on organs may be.  In addition, there the cost is $300 per month for these two drugs.  Finally, I enjoy competitive sports and I find I am limited by the Beta Blocker to a max heart rate of around 125 beats/minute and have lost the top 20% of my power.

Does anyone have any thoughts on why an ablation would not be recommended?

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

There are many EP's who prefer their patients to give medication a try. If medication fails to maintain NSR, or the side effects of the medication are intolerable...Ablation is then given as an option.

I found an article in the Cardiosource Amer Journal of Cardiology discussing this very subject. I will paste the link here for you. You will have to copy and paste this to your browser to view site...Best of luck to you.:)

http://www.cardiosource.com/expertopinions/hottopics/article.asp?paperID=228

[Jerry_NJ]

I have AFib and have taken as much as 425 mg Rythmol SR and 200 mg of Metoprolol.

I agee the high dose Metoprolol really cuts into physical strength.  After a couple of months my EP gave up on the drugs, I'm still on Metoprolol but down to only 50 mg a day.  He wanted to put me on a stronger drug, one that required hospitalization for the start up.  I declined.

He was opposed to doing a ablation because my AFib symptoms didn't justify the risk, he recommended.  

If the Rythmol works it may be possible to move you to Propafeneon, the generic which is not available in a SR form.  I think it too is expensive, but may be less than Rythmol cost-wise.  Metoprolol is a generic, and I hope it isn't costing a lot to take.  Walmart of one of the chain drug stores may offer Metoprolol at a lower price.