ablation

[t-hut-t]

After discussing alternatives with my cardiologist and electrophysicist, I am planning an ablation for paroxysmal a-fib.  I have come to believe that the cure rate is high (I have no underlying heart issues) and the risk is low (lower than the combined risk from Tikosyn and warfarin, particularly because I do a lot of "risky" things, like mountaineering and bicycle racing.   Two questions:  are my assumptions basically correct? and, do I have to be in a-fib at the time I undergo the procedure, or can it be reliably induced at the time?

Thanks!

[JonF]

I've had two EP studies and one PVI ablation for PAF two years ago. My PVI was unsuccessful, and I may be going back for another one in a few months because the medications are becoming less and less effective.

I know you already had the procedure, and congrats for the outcome! I'll go ahead answer a couple questions for other readers.

1) You have to be in the arrhythmia at the time of the procedure for doctors to properly map the rouge electrical signals.

2) Most doctors want you off of your meds for a minimum of five days prior to the procedure to give the long lasting anti-arrhythmic drugs time to clear your system. That way they're working with a clear canvas -so to speak. This has always been a fun time for me because I go the arrhythmia if I go 12 hours without my medication. If you don't want to live with the episodes for those days, you'll have to go to the ER where they can administer fast acting drugs that don't linger in your system.

[starvoyager1956]

Sorry for the late response. Since my ablation I have had a couple of days were I had slight "heart skips". These were minimal. Most days I dont feel a thing. Most of my problems were due to an exercised induced palpitation. When i am rest, i would have a few heart skips, maybe 4-8 times a day. Very quick skips lasting a second or so. I will follow up with my doctor next week and try and find out the specifics of what went on during the procedure. She was able to find the area of the heart that was causing problems and correct it. Luckily I caught it early before it became worse. I just went in for a routine stress test since i was 51 and wanted to see how the heart was doing. I stressed about the procedure but this forum helped me understand what the procedure was like. I slept through the entire procedure. Doctor and staff were fantastic. Good Luck !!

[mml78]

Hey, Joe,

Glad to hear you are doing so well post-ablation.  I am having one tomorrow for PAF, too.  Can I ask if you've had any more a-fib since the procedure?  That's my biggest fear - that my problem will be worse after the procedure.  Do you have any other arrhythmias like SVT?  I have that, too, but I'm not having that ablated tomorrow.  Were they able to indue a-fib?  I have the same worry that you did (that they won't be able to induce).  Thanks for any advice/info!

[starvoyager1956]

Just wanted to mention that I had an EP study with ablation done on me yesterday. While my anxiety level prior procedure was high the staff and doctor did a great job. I sleep through the entire procedure and woke up with no after effects from the drugs or pain from the incision. The worse part was after the procedure when I had to lie still for about 4-5 hours. Doctor said I had one of the most common things to fix and I was 100 % better. This forum provided alot of info that helped me get through this tough time. If I can ever help anyone going to have this procedure done please let me return the favor and help and console you. Thanks.
                                                  Joe

[sueinns]

I had an ablation for SVT and my main worry was that they wouldn't be able to induce it -I was symptom free the week of the procedure - go figure!!!.  Nobody seemed too concerned and they had no problem bringing on my symptoms.  This isn't true for everyone but those cases are not the norm.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll make out fine.  A friend of mine has an ablation done a year ago for AF and has a new lease on life.  

[starvoyager1956]

HI...I am having an ablation done this Thursday to correct an exerciseiduced LBBB--Left Bundle Branch Block. Basically when I did my treadmill my EKG went crazy when I was at about 160BPM. What they will do is go into the heart with some wires, stimulate the heart as though I was on the treadmill, and then map area to find the nerves that are causing the misfiring when I exercise. I will be under for the complete procedure. I have heard a lot of positive feedback from this forum from those who have had the procedure. Let me know if I can give you anymore info.

[t-hut-t]

Oooops.  Message to self.  I meant electrophysiologist!!