Those with ablation surguries

[Docshawn]

As you can see from my photo, I had alot (900) points ablated during my last procedure; my first procedure maybe had 20-30 points ablated, not sure).  I'm trying to find any cases where so much was ablated (its about 40% or more of my heart easy).   I'm just looking for someone to talk to who had a similiar extreme ablation to talk about relevant issues - I am also interested in hearing your thoughts - anyone else have so much ablated or any reaction - any input at all is appreciated and don't worry about being sensitive, I appreciate frankness.  Thanks, Shawn

[ireneo]

I'd be interested in an explanation of the picture. I take it that it's a heart model and somehow the EP marked every spot that was ablated (?) Very curious. Plus, I thought ablations were done on the inside of the heart. The maze procedure is done on the outside to stop a-fib. I imagined that to be more of a crisscross grid to short circuit any of the wayward signals that cause the a-fib. Just my impressions from what I've read.

I've had 3 ablations for a total of 38 applications of RF. I can't imagine 900 points. The burn is small and shallow but 900 would certainly add up.

[Docshawn]

The title on the picture is LSPV and RIPV mediated atrial tachycardia mappin with a complete linear ablation plus right side atrial flutter ablation - they also did ventricles and into my arteries (see bottom right and top left outside the heart).  These are on the inside and yes the spots represent the ablated pointed - the map indicates there were 897 points and I feel like **** ever since and have a ton of new symptoms - I cannot locate anywhere information so I can get a comparison - I think they might want to start using this as an in-class sample of an extreme lol.  

[banglamom]

Have they tried tikosyn on you?  How does the sotalol work for you?  Being on so many others and going through so many failed, or, at best, partially successful attempts...  I am always looking out for what might actually work.

I had viral myocarditis that put down a bunch of scar tissue as it healed and let the conduction a wreck.  I asked about a maze, but since my atria are still functional, they said we wait until.. (they aren't) because I would be worse off if I lost atrial kick.  Hard to argue that.  They couldn't stop it all with the ablations because the sinus node is sitting right on the phrenic nerve.  ARGH!  I was all set to be comletely paced.  Instead, I take about 40 pills a day and stay 80-90% paced, but have to take all the meds that MESS me up.  I was hoping they could do something... even drastic.. and let me go away without having to take all the pills.

I see the cardiologist again on Monday and see what else has to be done.  Good luck to you!

[ireneo]

Pretty gruesome when you see the picture. A bit of encouragement - the burns are only millimeters deep (2 or 3mm if I remember correctly). Out of curiosity, I've googled long term effects of cardiac ablations but find very little related to that. I've asked on various boards whether multiple ablations would lead to anything dire. MI's cause tissue death and in a small degree so do ablations. But so far I've found nothing hinting at that similarity.

When was your last ablation? I know it takes time to heal from them. With the number of zaps you received, it may take even longer than the typical 3 months or so. I do hope someone with similar experience will share and also that you will gradually feel better in time.

[ireneo]

Ah, I see you have another post going. That one mentions that your ablation was just 3 weeks ago.