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Post Catheter Ablation Experience

I am 27 y/o and just had a catheter ablation for SVT a week ago.  Since, I've been feeling a little bit weaker but have been getting better every day.  I had trouble after the ablation bringing my heart beat down to a normal pace and had to spend the night in the hospital.  The Doctor said that I was sensitive to the adrenalyne and coupled with being dehydrated would take some time to get back to normal.  Has anyone had a similar experience?

Also, any suggestions on when to begin exercising.  Prior to the ablation I had been working out about 5 days a week but I don't want to push it too hard...
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Congratulations on your procedure, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.  The "incisions" you speak of were actually punctures from a from a pretty good sized needle.  Mine were mere dots within 2 days and had disappeared within a week or so.  Still, I limped around for about 2 weeks due to the soreness.  I had my first SVT at 6, and didn't get it fixed until I was 60.  Ya, is wish it had been around too...
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Avatar universal
I had an ablation for AVRNT 6 days ago.  Don't remember much but going in a cold room and then waking up in a recovery room with a dry mouth and being told to lay still.  I slept, drank water and used the bathroom for the rest of the day and then the following day again.  Today is the first day all the restrictions were lifted and I feel more myself.  I just wasn't ready to be so exhausted for the past few days.  It hit me like a rock!  I am not in the best of shape, but wow!  Didn't have to take any pain meds and wouldn't have know about the two tiny incisions in my groin until husband took a picture with my cell phone after bandage was off.  I have felt weird sensations in my chest, but it may all be in my head.  I am off 2 heart meds since the ablation and are being weened off the other.
Oh and I am 44 years old and have been dealing with svts since I was 19.  I was a college majorette in college having svts and had to quit.  Wished ablations were around back then as so far so good!
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12492606 tn?1459874033
Sounds like you had a successful procedure.  Best wishes for continued recovery and long term sinus rhythm.
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Avatar universal
I have also made several lifestyle changes that seemed to trigger my arrhythmia - no alcohol & very little caffeine & less salt...so far, so good..
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Avatar universal
I am a 69 year old woman that has had PAC's most of my life. Thyroid disease has been a contributing factor with the Afib. I have been on heart meds since I had a cardiovert in 2010. Meds worked well until 2015 when a vacation was interrupted with a severe bout of Afib & Aflutter. Dr suggested ablation & I agreed. He ended up ablating for Afib, Aflutter & SVT on Nov. 6, 2015 & I have been fine other than some skipped beats here & there, but feel so much better now. It took about a month to feel "good". Dr will wean me off Flecainide & I hope that is successful. I would definitely recommend this procedure. The techniques are much more refined now than a few years ago with a high rate of success.
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12492606 tn?1459874033
Tony,  hopefully, your EP has privileges at RB.  I don't know how things work with the NHS.  Here in the states, clinical EPs typically localise to one center and EPs with the specialised equipment are specifically trained to use it and don't share with EPs from other centers that are not familiar with the equipment.  My doctor's group are the main users at the local center that has the equipment and I was told that the hospital executives refused non-hospital affiliated EPs requests to use the system.  The center has excellent reputation and ablation patients are wait listed so it is too bad that non-affiliated EPs don't have access.  They really need to get their own but the problem is that it takes major remodeling or new construction because the motorized magnets weigh 2 tons.
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Avatar universal
Hi researcher09, thanks for your advice.  I don't know exactly where the pathway is, except it is on the right hand side and well away from the AV node.  I would like to keep my EP doctor as he is now very familiar with my electrical conduction system.  I do not know whether he operates from Royal Brompton.  I know he does in a number of hospital other that St Thomas, where I was seen.  I will explore this with him.  So thanks again.
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12492606 tn?1459874033
Hi Tony, if the pathway is in a spot that is difficult to get to, perhaps your EP can refer you out to Royal Bromptom.  RB is equipped to deal with the difficult to access SVT cases, right free wall for example or even congenital hearts.  The right free wall accessory pathways are difficult in SVT ablations although I am not sure if that is what you have.  Best of luck in getting a successful ablation.
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2 Comments
I'm in the same boat as tony,  about 3 weeks out and now I'm starting to notice palpitations when I get my heart rate too high from exercise.    I've been an athlete all my life I'm really hoping this isn't a permanent.     I had sustained outflow track VT.  
Im in the same boat as tony, I'm   about 3 weeks out from an ablation and starting to get palpitations when I get my heart rate too high from exercise.    I've been an athlete all my life Im really hoping this isnt permanent.     I had sustained outflow track VT.  
1423357 tn?1511085442
Yes Tony, the accessory path remains.  It's just been bridged or severed by a series of burn dots until the path ceases to conduct.  Mine was left side, and required 17 burns to interrupt conduction.  I'm not sure if that is few, or many.  But the electrophysiologist said that it was a wide conductive area.  I guess the reason it took me so long to anything about it was it had become intertwined in my life, and I just dealt with it.  To ability to terminate them on my own and stay out of ER's those entire 54 years that I ha it no doubt was key in doing nothing about it.  While I'm thrilled and thankful for having it done and getting my life back, I'm faced with the reality that there is a lot less life left than what has gone by me already, and I lament that.  Still, I always challenged my SVT, and did things, sports and activities that dared it to happen.  Sometimes it did.  But aside from one family activity, open ocean sailing, I don't think that it held me back too much.  Enjoy your life Tony, and I hope you can do the things now that you may have hesitated at before.
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Avatar universal
Hey Tom.  Wow, I thought I took a long time to get around to doing anything about it!  Mine is also AVRT (initially thought to be Wolff Parkinson White, not sure whether it still is).  The good news is the doctor discovered that my pathway is slow conducting, so apparently no risk of sudden death. I'll wait to see whether the ablation attempt has had any effect at all.  The doctor said although the pathway is still there, it's just possible it no longer gives SVT episodes.  We will see.  Otherwise it's probably beta blockers and then perhaps having another ablation attempt in a few months.  I am pretty active, so was really looking forward to doing activities without having to worry about the dreaded SVT suddenly kicking in.  Such is life.  
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Avatar universal
I had an ablation for SVT yesterday.  This was at St Thomas hospital in London, UK.  I was awake the whole time.  My doctor was quickly able to induce my SVT rhythm and locate the accessory pathway.  This was on the right side of the heart, well away from the AV node, apparently it is quite a difficult site to access.  Unfortunately, despite a number of ablation attempts, he was unable to break the pathway and had to give up. He told me afterwards that you can only have so many attempts before causing too much wounding and inflammation at the site.  He had a good look around my heart, including going into the right side through a hole between the chambers to try to find any more accessory pathways.

My doctor told me afterwards that he could have another attempt in a few months time.  In the meantime he will put me on beta blockers.  The whole thing is pretty traumatic and the thought of having another attempted ablation does not fill me with joy.

I'm 55 years old and have had attacks of SVT since I was 10 years old.  These were mainly during heavy exercise or stress.  I could always terminate them myself without too much trouble.  However, in recent years, it has become more troublesome and I saw my doctor about it for the first time about a year ago.  He recommended ablation.

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2 Comments
Hey Tony. It sounds like your history is about the same as mine.  I experienced my first episode at 6, and finally had it fixed at 60.  I could terminate all of my mine as well.  But when my cardiologist finally saw one, he urged me to get it fixed, and coaxed me into the cath lab.  Mine was a left sided accessory path AVRT,. I hope you go for it again when you can.  SVT rates are increasingly tough on our again hearts.  Good kuck!
Make that "aging hearts"
Avatar universal
I had my ablation about 3wks ago and I'm much older then your son... I'm still waiting on the energy to return. I'm very frustrated that when I sleep all night and get up in the morning that in about an hour or two I want to go back to bed and sleep more. My ablation worked, but the pain I went through, I'm just not sure if it was worth it... unless my energy returns I'm going to very unhappy!
Hope your son recovers well and gets his young energy back that he deserves :)
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Avatar universal
I just had my ablatian done on Thursday, July 9, 2015.  I was under the impression that I would feel great ASAP.  That is not my story and after reading all the above experiences; I realize what I am feeling is normal.   I was under for 6 hrs and after the anistisia wore off I felt like someone beat me.  From under my chin; through and beneath my breast.   It felt like I was all torn up.  I had a hard time breathing while talking, with a dry hacky cough, and was uncomfortable for 3-4 days. I'm still on my meds, blood thinner and propafenone.  5 days in and I still feel like I have been drinking tons of coffee most of the day.  My insides feel very jittery.   I'm feeling a little depressed and emotional.  My expectations need to be brought down a notch.  I'm going to try and walk a little today  maybe for at least 15 minutes.  I need to change my eating habits and make better life style choices when it comes to food.  Any bpm over 80 for me while doing nothing is uncomfortable, I feel shakey inside.  I have the Galaxy S5 and monitor my bpm with S Health App.  It records and keeps a record for me to bring to the doc for my check up.  I wish everyone a speedy recovery and best of luck on your journey.  God Bless.  :)
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1569985 tn?1328247482
Thanks so much for this excellent summary of your ablation experience.  I am having one soon for afib and this gives me hope.
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Avatar universal
My son (14) had his second ablation two weeks ago for AVNRT.  The first was unsuccessful.  After the first procedure, he felt fine and went back to playing sports within two weeks.  He took Verapimil to control the SVTs.  He underwent a second procedure (both used cryo).  This time he has had issues with a high resting rate, which was transient and has returned to normal.  He tried to do some light exercising today and felt very tired and sleepy.  How long did this tiredness take to go away post ablation?  Everything else has returned to normal.  We do know that the fast pathway was ablated instead of the slow, so I don't know if that will make a difference or not.  Just wanted to know if you experienced tiredness post ablation did it go away eventually or do you still have it?
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Avatar universal
Thanks to all contributing to this site.  Reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand what is "normal" after ablation and stopped me from panicking too much.

I'm a 49 year old woman living in the UK and I had my catheter ablation for paroxysmal SVT on March 5th (10 days ago).  

Prior to the procedure I had only had two noticeable PSVT episodes, 6 months apart, for which I had a heart rate of 230-250 beats per minute and required adenosine to get down to a normal rhythm.  (I may have had previous mild episodes which resolved spontaneously, so at the time I put there raised heart rate down to stress and too much caffeine.) I had a few months on Verapamil before the ablation which had some unwanted side effects, so I was more than prepared to have the procedure as I did not want to live the rest of my life on these drugs if I could help it.

I was fortunate that my actual ablation procedure was only 1 hour long as there was only one ablation site required, for AVNRT ( I was expecting a 3 - 4 hour procedure).  I was awake for the whole procedure and although it was uncomfortable and I could feel the catheter wires enter the heart, the burning sensation of the ablation etc, it was bearable.  I was also thankful to be able to talk to the surgeon and ask questions to understand what was happening.  The post op period on the ward was 4 hours and I was back home the same evening.

The first couple of days post op were fine with the slight pain in the chest, odd flutters and the groin pain from the catheter insertion. 3 days later got diarrhoea - probably bug picked up.  This resolved within a day.  5 days after procedure I experienced some pins and needles down my left arm and left hand.  Had this all checked out (in CCU for observation for one night) and heart rhythm was fine, pulse and BP normal.  Diagnosed as pinched nerve due to muscle stress in shoulders.  Then got light headed with sensation of blocked ears and effect of vision.  Again BP and heart rate normal.  Diagnosed with sinus infection.  Now when I sleep (10 days after procedure) I feel my heart skip a beat (as if an SVT is trying to trigger but not managing to).  It's causing my sleep to be affected and I'm more anxious at night.  During the day I feel okay because I'm not focussing on it.  I think anxiousness comes with the post op effects because you don't really know what the healing process involves.  I had hoped recovery would be faster but then it seems variable from everything I've read here and I just need to be patient - not that easy though is it?

Thought I'd share my experience as reading everyone else's helped me.
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1423357 tn?1511085442
To tell the truth, this thread was kind of centered around SVT as opposed to AFib.  Perhaps if you started a new thread with a title concerning AFib, you'd get a response from the AFib folks. I had an ablation for SVT with 17 burns which is considered a lot.  Even with that amount, I felt the "heart ache" for a week or so following. 164 burns sounds staggering to an SVT'er but perhaps is common for someone with AFib.
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Avatar universal
I am a 44 year old female, and I had my ablation done on February 19th for Atrial Fib.  I was expecting it to be very minor but it was not.  The doctor ablated 164 places in my heart.  I thought this number was extremely high....does anyone else know of someone having this many?  I was in ICU that night and stayed in the hospital several more days, was released on the 22nd.  One of the main reasons for the long stay was the medication they put me on - 160mg of Sotalol - has to be very closely monitored to see how you tolerate it.  I did well.  Also, because they were working so close to my digestive system and esophogus they put me on stomach meds for a month.  The blood thinner they put me on was $300 WITH my insurance, which was just staggering....I felt pressure in my chest, and was told it was because my heart was swollen.  I was winded, and still get easily winded.  At my followup on the 27th the doctor told me it was normal and that due to the amount of ablations my recovery would be a little slower.  I am truly hoping for success.  I quit smoking before the procedure, gave up Mt Dew and caffeinated beverages and am eating healthy.  I see this as my second chance and I want to do it right.  Still feel tired but hoping that goes away soon.....
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Avatar universal
Hi Everyone,

My a fib/flutter/ablation experience. I am 65 yrs old, 6' and 165 lbs. Have been active mtn biker and runner for 30 yrs and live in a ski resort at the 6,000 ft elevation level. Went into a fib last May. Had been running at sea level and one day couldn't run a block, way out of breath and couldn't figure out why as I couldn't feel anything. Got home and tried biking up a mtn and same thing. Tried it 3 days in a row and finally called my GP who said I was in a fib. Put me me on 50 mg Atenenol twice a day and 150 Pradaxa twice a day and in 4 weeks cardio converted me. About a month later after a few glasses of wine went back into a fib. Cardio converted me again. Still on Atenenol and Pradaxa and was running with a little hold back because of BP medicine. In Calif in Dec and 2 glasses of wine (there seems to be a pattern) and a fib again. Decided on ablation and my GP recommended a Electro Physiologist in Provo Utah. Met with him day before procedure and he did MRI and said I had flutter in right atrium and a fib in left. 5 1/2 hr procedure and when I woke up back in hospital room I wasn't sure they had done anything as there was zero discomfort or pain. Nothing form the 5 catheter insertion points, 4 in groin and 1 in neck. Amazing after everything I had read online about other peoples experiences I was ready for discomfort/pain etc. Put me on 25 mg Atenenol once a day and 150 mg Pradaxa twice a day.Said no exercise for 10 days. Now running here 3 miles a day at 6,000 and heart rate gets into 115 range. When I wake up in am my blood pressure is 130/90 and heart rate in 80-83 but settles down in 30 min to 123/78 and HR 68. Can still feel missed and skipped beats and palpitations that go for 3-4 beats but they said all this is normal. If you have to have an ablation, go to the best!! This team was mind boggling. Good luck and thanks for reading! Oh, and no alcohol for 10 weeks. They used to tell you "no coffee" but a recent article (you can google) by the Canadian Journal of Cardiologists January 7, 2014  said a very long study involving 248,000 people that showed no correlation between coffee and atrial fibulation and in fact, code may prevent fibrosis.
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Avatar universal
I had  the procedure, on the 29th of October, 2013, I feel ok, but have excessive burping, do not understand this, I do have the chest pain right above my left breast, and some burning, that is normal, but am a little concerned about the burping, anyone have this?  
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Avatar universal
Hi im 22 and i just had the same procedure done. I feel the burning pain that leaves you out of breath also and its only been two weeks but i feel sometime my episodes coming on but stop shortly after. Is this normal? I too am wondering when i can exercise with weights again.
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Avatar universal
Hello Friends! I am a 36 y/o mother and I had a successful ablation on Aug. 12, 2013. I was also in surgery to get an ICD, which miraculously I did not have to get! They were able to completely fix my heart. I am so grateful for this. Because I am paying for the surgery and appointments out-of-pocket, I did not go to my follow up appt. I just cannot afford another $75 for them to say, "Yep, you are fine!" I know I pushed myself too hard (of course! I am a mom!) and now am a bit troubled. I have had some pains and dizziness that have only come in the last few days. Is it too later to do my follow up? Perhaps it is just stress and overdoing it. I cannot go backward, only forward. What do you suggest? Thank you!
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Avatar universal
I had one yesterday and it was because I wasn't breathing normally. I only had 25% carbon dioxide. Tell him to try to just breathe normal. When I had it, my skin got sweaty and really hot. The reason skin quivers is because the calcium hides in the cells and skin vibrates. Also his muscles may tighten. My left wrist and fingers got so tight that I couldn't even open it. Next time try to tell him not to react funny when he feels weird and just breathe normally.
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Avatar universal
My dad had an ablation in February for AF and he also has heart failure. 3 days later heart rate dropped to around 37, dropping to 32 in places so the fitted a 3 wire pacemaker.
Ever since, he is having massive problems, his heart starts to thump, and he goes sweaty and clammy, tight chested and finds it hard to breathe, he quivers, and says he feels awful, blood pressure goes sky high. Nothing seems to be showing on the device as it records.
Doctor gave him Valium and told him it was panic attacks, but the symptoms are lasting for hours and hours, and he's not feeling well most days.
Has anyone experienced similar?
The doctor said that the thought it might be the rate response on the pacing device still switched off and holding his heart back at 60' so that was switched on so it can beat normally and not go lower than 60, but my poor dad is still feeling terrible, every day, he wakes up in the night feeling terrible, heart banging and doing flip flips. He's shaken, freezing cold, and his house was like an oven when I got here this evening.
We have been into a&e 14 times with this problem, and had about 10 visits to the pacing clinic since, and also to two cardiologists.
Nobody seems to know what is going on. All I know is my dad is experiencing horrid horrid symptoms, and feeling awful most days and I can't do anything to help him.
I'm 90% sure it isn't panic, as these "episodes" are lasting sometimes 10 hours!
Really really really hoping someone can help she'd a bit of light on the subject, coz I'm pulling my hair out, thanks for reading.
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