RA with arrhythmias, SVT

[toyjoypet]

I have RA and have to told I need a cardiac ablation for reoccuring SVT.  Also I have been on Humera since April  every other week, which is being held for procedure.  The ablation is Oct. 3.
After a cardiac conversion with adenocin to sinus rythm, my joints are inflamed and swollen.  I am worried regarding having the ablation.

[toyjoypet]

  Thank you all for your input.  I am feeling very secure with the procedure, which is scheduled for Oct 3.

[Elli126]

Hi, I too have PSVT and RA and have been converted with Adenosine about half a dozen times. I really didn't notice any difference with the pain or swelling in my joints. I don't think you'll have any problems with the ablation ( although I am not a doc, I've heard a lot of good things about them ) I hope to have mine when I am insured and my card never mentioned any complications with having one and RA. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

[merileegal]

For me, having the ablation was easier than going to the dentist. It's been so nice to not have to worry about when the next attack will happen. Just make sure you have a very experienced ep especially if they suspect your burn will be near the AV node. Good luck.

[tom_h]

In addition to the above comments:
I had general sedation, as my EP prefers it that way unless for some reason it's not possible.  I went into SVT very easily, and once started, it was persistent.  It never converted on it's own and always required intervention to slow it.  The general anesthesia was very nice and of course painless throughout the procedure.  I awoke to find a Foley catheter had been inserted to keep me empty.  My "lay flat" time was perhaps 90 minutes until the bed was raised, and I could eat and drink something. I was up, cathether out and walking within 3 hours after waking up and was dressed, peeing on my own, and gone within 4.  

[MichelleP_3811]

In general a catheter ablation is a very safe and effective procedure for curing heart arrythmias.  I am not sure which form of svt you have but many have a 95% or better success rate at ridding you of your svt for life.  The procedure itself is really not that bad.  You will likely have some sort of sedation to relax you but for the most part the only discomfort you will feel is essentially the discomfort of getting an IV put in.  When they pace your heart to induce the tachycardia it can get a bit uncomfortable but you already know what to expect with that so no surprises there.  If they can induce an episode quickly, they did with me on my first try for AVNRT you may be in and out within a couple of hours.  But that is the key to getting cured is them being able to induce the arrythmia.  Once they have found the part of the heart that is malfunctioning they will ablate the spot with some heat.  If you at all feel discomfort then you can alert the nurse and she would likely give you a bit more sedation to help ease and discomfort.  That is if you haven't already falllen a sleep.  Some people are asleep for the whole thing.  But for me I felt the ablation but it really wasn't that bad.  Some chest discomfort or pressure is all.  The anticipation of doing the procdure was really the worst part.  After the procedure is done you will have to lay still for 4-6 hours to allow the insertion sites to start to heal.  I would suggest holding off on drinking too much afterwards.  They gave me some juice and water and by the third hour I really had to go.  For about 2 days after I felt a bit short of breath and sore but was back up on my feet really quickly.  I felt some pings and pangs and some fluttering for some time after but no more episodes.  So again, overall the procedure is really safe and no where near as difficult as having surgery.  The fact that you have RA may make things a bit more tough on you but you can consult your doctor to find out what you should watch for with that condition in the picture.  In any event, like I said, the anticipation before the procedure is the most stressful part.  It is kind of scary to think about someone touching your heart but it is a very safe procedure with a high success rate so it's definitely worth doing if you have the run of the mill svt.  Best of luck. I will send good thoughts your way on the 3rd.

Michelle