Anyone having low blood pressure crisis after ablation?

[MaryLL]

Hi,
I've had 2 ablations, one a catheter in 2010 and a cryo in 2012. I have paradoxymal a-fib. Before my first ablation, my heart rate would go to 185 or so. After my first catheter ablation, it would go 145 highest. Since my second cryoablation, I've had two major episodes and my heart rate is going back to 185 but my blood pressure drops as low as 50/30. This is a scary new twist as yesterday I had an episode and ended up having to call an Aid car/ambulance halfway to the hospital because I couldn't breathe, my lips were turning blue, and my BP was 50/30. The medics ended up cardioverting me in the aid car and said it was a good thing we'd called them when we did. I've been annoyed at episodes before, but now I'm just plain scared.
After they cardiovert, my heart rate returns to normal and my BP goes up within 1-3 hours. Aside from being tired for a day or so, I'm okay. Has anyone had the BP experience or have a clue?
thanks so much, I appreciate this board greatly,
MaryLL

[gloriaw]

I just had an ablation and it was for svt. My b/p goes from 88/50 to 158/82 for no reason. I am weak and have dizzy spells but before the ablation I my heart rate would go to 192 and they had a card time bringing it down. I was on Cartia and then they took me off when I got the ablation. I understand it takes time to heal but I am still feeling scared and have been told I have to have a kidney stone removed soon. I already have copd and have a trach and had no trouble with the ablation but when I try to eat it seems that I really don't want it. I was this way for the last couple of months and I have lost about 18 lbs. I feel so bad all the time and have no energy for anything anymore. I just want to give up.

[MaryLL]

I'm sorry to hear you had that experience. I remember how terrifying it was to have my blood pressure drop so quickly. They didn't really figure out why mine was going so low after the 2nd ablation, they did another ablation fairly quickly. After the 3rd ablation, it stopped happening. It was the only time I really felt my AFIB was life-threatening, I mean having your BP go to 50/30 in a matter of seconds! Yikes.
I hope you are doing better and taking your time recovering. I wish I had some answers for you, but I still don't have any for why it was happening to me and I haven't found any answers in the literature either.
Take good care and keep in touch!

[petushi]

I had my first ablation for AF one week ago and ended up with a serious bout of low blood pressure immediately after.  the nursing staff rushed around trying to bring it up (I think they used Dopamine IV along with whatever else). They ended up putting me in the cardiac ICU for 2 nights, then one night on the cardiac floor.  I did have a hypersentivity to the Ibutilide toward the end of the procedure and perhapes that set off the low BP?  I also don't really know what would cause such a severe BP reaction after ablation.

[petushi]

I had my first ablation for AF one week ago and ended up with a serious bout of low blood pressure immediately after.  the nursing staff rushed around trying to bring it up (I think they used Dopamine IV along with whatever else). They ended up putting me in the cardiac ICU for 2 nights, then one night on the cardiac floor.  I did have a hypersentivity to the Ibutilide toward the end of the procedure and perhapes that set off the low BP?  I also don't really know what would cause such a severe BP reaction after ablation.

[MaryLL]

thank you! those are such great positive thoughts for me, I appreciate your words...

[ireneo]

Some people are started on meds after an ablation, the medication meant to be fairly short term during the healing process. But you said you've been on these for awhile.

When I was taking Diltiazem on a regular basis I would have near syncope spells but I think that was more rhythm related than BP since my rate seems to cut in half. The Diltiazem did lower my BP though, my systolic often dropping into the 90's. I felt like a slug on those days.

I do hope the cardiologist will have the answers you need. Perhaps after the ablation now you won't need the meds.  :-)

[MaryLL]

Thanks for your post ireneo. Yes, I am on the same meds I have always been on.
Hopefully my cardiologist will call back today!
thanks again and take care,
Mary

[ireneo]

That was my question: are you on any meds post ablation? Sounds like you are. Perhaps it's the medication that needs to be adjusted. Something to ask your doctor. Many heart meds will lower BP and/or slow heart rate.

[MaryLL]

Thank  you for responding Jerry. I'm still waiting for my cardiologist to call back with information. My cryoablation was on February 6, 2012. She said it would be about a 6 month recovery. We were going to put me on a heart monitor and take me off medications later this week. That's probably off the table now.
With each ablation, new twists on the a-fib come...hope this twist gets settled soon!
thanks again and take care,
Mary

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry you are having this scary condition.  I suffer from AFib myself, but I have never had an ablation and my resting HR goes to only about 135 if I am not taking at lest 50 mg of Metoprolol (Beta blocker).  

I have experienced low blood pressure when adjusting to the Beta Blocker and when I was taking up to 200 mg a day to get my HR down.  I have never, however, had any loss of consciousness.  I have had problems with dizziness when standing up from a resting postion, that's about it.

I have never read anything here that relates a low blood pressure with ablation surgery.  But, an elevated heart rate due to AFib is common and one symptom I suffer from.  

From what I understand you were monitoring (or monitored) you BP when the HR was measured at 185.  I would not be surprised if such a high HR can cause a drop in BP.  You didn't mention how long it has been since you last ablation, but I do understand it can take months to fully heal.  It may be healing is faster wtih Cyro - I have read very little about that method.