Another "mapping" for an arryhymia- Stress related

[kateinmadbeach]

I had been diagnosed with WPW syndrome at age 7- I had two ablations two months apart in 2001- only a few "flutters" since. I am 37- and under a tremendous amount of stress lately, worse than ever. In my twenties I have been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression.

Last Monday, I had an arrythymia again (quick start/stop- not a panic attack)- lasted about 30 seconds (before ablation they could last up to an hour)- accompanied by excessive sweating, headache, and throbbing neck. Called 911, went to ER, EKG was fine, Potassium slighly low, same with sodium, but bloodwork looked fine.

I saw my electrophysiologist who did my ablations (well known)- he suggested meds, take a "wait and see" to see if it happens again, or his preference, go in again and do a mapping to see what is going on- mabey needing to burn again. He explained that some pathways are only "stunned", not burned. First ablation was very difficult and required repeated burns.

My question is, is this the way to go? Do other people have re-start of difficulties due to stress or anxiety?

[ireneo]

That's about where I am now after my ablations. My tachy times don't last as long, usually less than a minute and don't go over 200 bpm. It feels like such an improvement that I just work around them. I can go a couple days without the tachy or have days where I'll have 3-4 tachy times. Still, after 3 ablations, I'm done with that hospital stuff.

You'll have to think about how often yours happens and whether there's a risk involved like passing out. Perhaps when you get past this stressful time, it may settle down again. It sounds like your EP is willing to take a look in there again. I don't know if there's a set amount of burns they can do and then no more. I've had 38 burns to my heart. Ask your doctor about that, if he feels OK with another ablation without damaging your heart. It's a tough decision.

[kateinmadbeach]

During your tachy times- are you able to correlate it with stress/anxiety?  I will ask the EP about the burn number, I'm not sure how many I had, just the first go around was more than they anticipated.

Thank you.