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2036775 tn?1393943128

Anyone had a nerve block for Tachycardia?

Hello all,

I was scheduled to have a sinus node ablation on Wednesday.  I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia. The docs called today and have now decided to try a nerve block in my neck first.  It is supposed to block the nerves in my heart from being tachycardic. Has anyone had this procedure?? Can you tell me more about it? Thanks!
12 Responses
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7576794 tn?1392167642
I am getting ready to have this stellate ganglion nerve block on thursday morning at st. lukes (houston heart institute) Only difference is, i've already had 3 ablations to my sinus node, it's practically gone. Dr's say it cannot be ablated anymore. they actually went in to do the 2 lead pace maker, but my heart wouldn't drop low enough for it to work :-/ I too have IST along with other heart conditions. We are hoping this nerve block will work, otherwise I will have to have the three lead AVnode pace maker. Which is NOT ideal for me as I fall into a very small category where my heart will most likely still do whatever the crap it wants, thus leaving a machine pumping my heart while i wait on a transplant. We are hoping that it doesnt come to that, but we have tried everything. i mean absolutely everything over the past year.
Helpful - 0
2036775 tn?1393943128
I had the Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block 4 times now.  It worked extremely well the first time.  I was essentially normal for 4 entire glorious months.  Then I had a dental procedure and they gave me epinephrine.  It sped my hear back up and seemed to reverse the nerve block.  So I had both sides done again but didn't have the same results.  I was able to move my arms and not raise my heartrate very much but I ended up having an ablation 2 weeks ago.

I was very very close to getting a pacemaker.  I was supposed to have the Sinus Node Ablation. But when the EP doc got inside my heart I would up having An AVNRT.  Which they were able to ablade.  I have a 99% chance my SVT will never come back which is amazing.

On the downside the doc was not able to fix my sinus node through typical ablation because it was on my phrenic nerve.  I will likely need open heart surgery soon to protect the phrenic nerve while they ablade on my sinus node.

The docs said that the Stellate Ganglion definitely worked to some extent, they could tell as they were working on me. It wasn't as easy to trigger my Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia.

I think the Stellate Ganglion surgery has a lot of merit and I would like to see more patients try it before ablation.  You never know, it may work for you without having to go through an ablation!!!

As always, please write me if you are interested in my AV node ablation or the Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block. I'd be happy to explain the procedures, and the recovery.

Good luck all my heart buddies!

Jenny
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi April,

It seems like I may have the same teams of doctors as you.  I saw a cardiologist at Baylor for POTS, vaso vagal and EDS and he recommended the left stellate ganglion block also.  Have you had your procedure yet?  

I have to have another tilt, stress test, and blood work first to ensure I do not have any other underlying cardiac issues.  

I have basically become disabled from POTS and vaso vagal,  because I cannot take beta blockers (bp crashes) or midodrine and florinef (horrible headaches - occipital and trigeminal neuralgia).  

I am anxious to hear your news!  
Helpful - 0
1182699 tn?1297574784
So glad you posted this! We seem to be neighbors and living in Houston's backyard, I've always heard St. Luke's is the best for hearts. You have renewed my hope for this crazy heart of mine.
Helpful - 0
995271 tn?1463924259
Wow, that's great news!!! I remember googling this when you first mentioned it and all I found were results from the 70s, like you said.   It's neat that they are revisiting the procedure for IST.    Thanks for posting follow - up!
Helpful - 0
2036775 tn?1393943128
The woman had to have been me. I'm the only one they have done.  People don't feel their heartbeats.  People don't have to concentrate to try to force their dumb hearts to slow down.  Other people don't have to consider every move they make because of their stupid heart.  

I was on oxygen for months at home before they did this.  I was in my bed unable to move.  Walking 50 foot could get me to 160.  It was nuts.  None of the drugs worked.  I was passing out. It sucked.

Is your EP Dr. Hamida Afshar? All the Baylor docs know about my case.
Helpful - 0
2036775 tn?1393943128
The woman had to have been me. I'm the only one they have done.  People don't feel their heartbeats.  People don't have to concentrate to try to force their dumb hearts to slow down.  Other people don't have to consider every move they make because of their stupid heart.  

I was on oxygen for months at home before they did this.  I was in my bed unable to move.  Walking 50 foot could get me to 160.  It was nuts.  None of the drugs worked.  I was passing out. It sucked.

Is your EP Dr. Hamida Afshar? All the Baylor docs know about my case.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Jen my doctors want to donthis for me too.  They are at Baylor.  Does insurance cover this? People dont feel their heartbeat?  Do they think about every breath they take?  I have Postural Orthostatic Tacycardia and Innapropriate Sinus Tachycardia.  I heard my doc did this for one other woman with fantastc results.  I wonder if that was you.  Was there any pain with recovery or down time?
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Great news, congratulations.

Thanks for the information and the willingness to share more with anyone seeking a better understanding of what you have experienced.

Great, congratulations to your doctor(s) too,
Helpful - 0
2036775 tn?1393943128
I had a Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block for Tachycardia.  It was done at St. Luke's Hospital (Texas Heart Institute) in Houston.  It's a procedure originally done in the 70's. My doc had not done one for someone with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. My team was trying to avoid the ablation and pacemaker route because my problem is with my sinus node. So we opted for this much less invasive procedure.

It was done in the OR. I was sedated only a few minutes.  They went into my neck with a needle and used an ultrasound to guide them.  They went directly into the group of nerves on my right ride that correlated with my sinus node.  Two days later they operated on the other side.

This surgery has changed my life.  I'm now able to chase my kids. I'm working out. I'm not passing out. I got rid of my supplemental oxygen. I had no idea normal people didn't feel their hearts beating all of the time. I don't feel it anymore.  

The surgeon said the results could be permanent but I may need to procedure done 3-4 times. Recovery was super easy.  Slightly sore neck.  Able to done anything I wanted the day after surgery.  Pretty incredbile.

Email me if you need more details!!!

Jen
Helpful - 0
995271 tn?1463924259
I haven't seen any traffic on the site discussing that type of procedure.  Where are you going to have the procedure done?

I'm guessing they are looking at something called "vagus nerve block".  This can lower your heart rate.

I tried googling this as being used to treat tachycardia and cam up empty.  Are you sure you got the story straight from them?  what the name of the procedure?
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry you haven't found any experience here.  Looks like you will be the first, please let us know how your treatment progresses.

While I have no idea what a "nerve block" in the neck involves, it sounds like it is less invasive (less risk) than an ablation.  My observation is medicine usually tries to accomplish a treatment with risk, minimize invasive procedures.

Wishing you a good result.
Helpful - 0
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