Ablation

[Kitty14]

I am considering having an ablation, and am trying to find the best place to have this done.  I have a 20+ yr history of SVT.  In the past I would get one or two episodes a year and go to the ED for IV adenosine.  Now they are more frequent, and I experience chest pain with some episodes.  

I have a consult at Yale, NH Hospital, I am also considering Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic.  How can I find the best Doctor to do this procedure?

[sheila326]

Does taking beta blockers increase your chance at becoming a diebitic?

[sheila326]

I have had svt since I was 23.  I had the ablation in 2001 and for 2 years I thought it worked.  Until I ended up in the er and there it was again.  1 out of 1000 die.  1 out of 100 end up with a pace maker and 1 out of 20 it doesn't work. My doctor has talked about doing it again but for now I stay on meds. Good luck with it I hope yours turns out better than mine

[LukeL]

Just remember that the so called  top doctors don't see as many patients as the "average" doctor. For a somewhat equal comparison, who would you rather have start an IV a 22 year old nurse or a 60 year old respected doctor who hasn't started a line in decades?

The same thing can be said about the top rated doctors, they don't do the run of the mill procedures as often as the typical doctor in a average hospital.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I hear that questions a lot and never know how to answer it.  Despite peoples attempts, it is very difficult to fairly rate doctors and even the best doctors have complications.  When you do see rankings, they are not often based on what you think they should be, research rather than clinical experience, so becareful when you see them. In general, over 95% (I made this number up) of adenosine  sensitve SVTs are very straight forward and involve minimal risk.  A good doctor knows when to stop before they get in trouble.  You can find great doctors at non academic centers in the community.  I can tell you that there are a lot of great doctors at the Cleveland Clinic -- too many to name them all.  One of my mentors, Dr. Patrick Tchou, is one that comes to mind.  If you decide to go to the Cleveland Clinic, he is a very good choice.  I am sure the institutions you named have excellent people, I just don't know them to drop a name.

I hope this helps.

[CNickels77]

I just had an ablation done by a doctor who works at Yale New Haven.  His name is Dr. Schoenfeld and I would NOT recomend him.  He is supposedly one of the best but I haven't felt good since the ablation and he has basically shrugged me off since saying that everything went fine so he doesn't know why I don't feel good.  It is very frustrating since I felt fine before he did my ablation so something must have happened.