Ablation for PVC's???

[Barbmag]

Has anyone had an ablation for just PVC's or PAC's and if so was it successful? I talked to my EP today and he indicated that if the BB's did not help, we could always go that route but I am not sure that I want to risk it. I have read online that the success rate for this is v low anyway. If anyone would just give me a little background info, like did you try medication first and if so, how long were you on it and what did you take? I do not want to have an ablation but I hate having days where I just have PVC's all day. I am going back on Toprol XL but instead of 25mg, I will try 50mg to see if that helps suppress these things.

Anyway, just any info will be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks bunches!!!!

[vicjay]

Hi,
I have had two ablation procedures performed. The first was on Christmas eve 2007 (yip...7 weeks ago) and the second was performed last week on the 6th of February. The first ablation was for PVC/PAC and during this study the EP Specialist discovered that I had RBBB (Right Bundle Branch Block) and Ventricular Tachycardia. Every third beat (Ventricular Trigemony) was a PVC resulting in well over 28000 PVC's a day! Medication had no effect, after trying toporol, verapemal, flecainide and sotalol over a period of 6 months, resulting in my Cardio sending me for an EP Study. When I woke up from the procedure last week Wednesday, I felt an instant change! The PVC's had stopped! I have been at home resting since last week and have not had a single palpitation, no flip flop in my chest, not a single PVC - the EP Specialist said that they had some difficulty ablating the spot due to the location of the PVC's but after the ablation they tried to envoke the PVC's, they didn't start up, they haven't returned! So, if I can encourage you, please know that these are highly specialized Doctors, they know what they are doing, what to look for and how to fix it. I have the deepest respect for them and trust them - you are in good hands my friend. if i can answer any of your questions please ask...!

[sueinns]

I was told by my doctors that PVC's are harder to treat than SVT but it's not that far off.  A lot depends on if they are in more than one spot  and if they can trigger them during the EP study.  For my case, I was told there was an 85% chance of success, compared to 95% for SVT - pretty darn good odds.  I chose to only have the SVT ablated because I am able to tolerate the PVC's.  I'm not experiencing many thousands a day like some folks here.

I haven't had any SVT episodes since the ablation.  PVC's have actually gotten a little worse but I was told to expect that while my heart heals.  I would absolutely, positively do it again without any hesitation.

Good luck.

[Momto3]

GREAT NEWS:  I've had two very successful ablations for PVC's!  

I think the success rate depends somewhat on the location/type of PVC's.  I had one ablation for RVOT and the other for LVOT.  I took beta blockers for about 12 years on and off.  Sometimes they worked; sometimes they didn't.  I "found out" about the PVC's in the early 1980's and dealt with them for many years.  Somewhere along the line, I think around the late 1990's, they were crazy!  I went to see a new EP and she was wonderful, reassuring me that I was fine and that I just had a "glitch" in my heart's wiring.  

Long story short - I have mitral valve regurgitation so I have annual echocardiograms.  In December 2001, my doctor called me to tell me that my ejection fraction had dropped and she was concerned.  Initial thoughts were that the valve leak had worsened and I would need valve repair.  That was ruled out...WHEW!  I was diagnosed with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.  I started on flecainide and took it for about 3 months. I had weird side effects and the doctor changed my RX to rhythmol.  The side effects were less bothersome, but still there.  I was taking the rhythmol for a couple of months when I asked how long I would have to stay on the RX.  I was kinda shocked when the doctor said for the rest of my life!  At that point, ablation(s) sounded like they might be a good idea.  

Prior to the first procedure, I know I was having at least 22,000 PVC's per day.  After the procedure, the holter picked up 6,000.  I thought that was great, but the doctor suggested a second procedure.  So, I went ahead and today, although I get occasional PVC's and some short runs, it is NOTHING like in the past.  There are success stories out there and if you decide to go ahead, we have a great cheering squad!!

As for the beta blockers, it seemed that they lost their effectiveness over time.  Now, I can take a very low dose if I need to.  Those days are pretty much limited to travel days and stressful events.

Good luck and keep us posted!
connie

[mommyto4]

hi there, i too had only pvc's but in the thousands....... i took 180mg of verpamil a day, it helped for a while but i think around 9 months into it was not working and i think i was prob having around 20,000 pvc's almost every day..so long story short after having pvc's for around 3 yrs i finally had to do ablation ( i will leave my story out for now, lol) but i am almost 3 months post ablation and it was very successful!!!
feel free to ask more questions
feel good
maria