EP Study and Catheter ablation?

[SheCam]

For the past three years I have been having an episode, one time a year (usually in the spring, one year it was twice) of what the drs says is supraventricular tachycardia.  I have seen two different heart doctors.  One suggested just put up with it being it is only one time a year.  The first time it happened I just sat it out at home and by the time I went to the ER it was over. The second time it happened, I drove myself to the clinic, but it did eventully quit before they did an EKG. The next time time I was home with no ride so did have ambulance to the ER. They gave me nitro...did not help and kept me in the hospital for observation.  Pulse that time was 200 bpm. This past spring, I had an episode did try the manuevers to stop it, but did not work. Went to the ER again and pulse this time was 240-250.  I did see a specialist since and he said it was up to me if I want to do the EP study and catheter ablation.  I was worried about the risks, but my regular physician said if he was my (age 37 and no other medical problems) that he would not think twice about having it done.  I am worried as I have never ran into anyone with type of problem.  I know it only happens once, maybe twice a year but my main concern is that I live in "fear" of never knowing when and where this is going to happen.  What sets these episodes off?  I have cut back on my caffeine intake and try not to have more than a few drinks when out with friends.  When my episodes have occurred I have bent over to pick up something, stood back up and get that "black" feeling like I am going to faint and then immediately the pulse starts racing. This last time was very scary as my eyes started twitching and I could not speak as I was so very short of breath.  What are your thoughts about my situation.  Thanks.

[isukathis]

Ok, I'm giving no caffeine and reducing my alcohol to only a couple of beers on the weekends (not that I'm a big drinker anyway). It has been a full week drinking decaffeinated tea only and I have to admit that I do feel more relaxed and I have actually been sleeping better at night.

I will post back after a few months and let you know how its going...

Hope everyone stays healthy... Paul

[SheCam]

I've always wondered if competely cutting out caffeine and alcohol for good would stop the problem.  But, the one time I did have an episode, I had neither, but was extremely stressed...so who knows....let me know what you find out.

[CollegeGirl143]

Having gone through the procedure myself, i have to say it was the best thing i ever did for myself, however my SVT was significantly more volatile than yours.. I was having 2-3 long lasting episodes a day of 200+ bpm heart rate... Since your SVT is so inconsistant and only rears its ugly head once or twice a year, it would be a very real possiblity that they might not be able to induce your SVT while under sedation, its not rare at all for this to happen, so thats something you need to consider.. If you are willing to go through that, possibly for nothing, to find some relief, i say go for it...  I completely understand your hesitation to start taking medication, but it might be a good option at this point.. Since your SVT is so infrequent, it might just be what you need to keep the yearly episodes under control.. Go see your EP again and sit down and have a talk with him/her... Ask them about meds Vs ablation and what they think will honestly be a better option for you at this time.. Ask about the likelyhood of them not being able to induce your SVT.. I wish you lots of luck! Let us know what you decide :)

[isukathis]

Wow, its nice to hear from people who get very similar symptoms as me. I only get SVT episodes once rarely twice a year and usually go to the emergency to have an Adenosine shot to revert it.

I have just (this week) been to see a specialist at the hospital that do the ablations and they suggested that I get the procedure done. but I'm wondering if maybe my episodes are only brought on by caffeine and/or alcohol? I can only remember having SVT epiodes on a Sunday or Monday and when I think about it I generally only drink coffee and alcohol on the weekends. I'm wondering if this is enough to bring on the SVT?

The specialist said I was probably born with the SVT but do any of you guys think I should go through with the procedure anyway or wait to see if over a 6-12 month period with no caffeine and less alcohol if it changes anything...

I appreciate your feedback, Paul

[sulo]

Hi SheCam
Your story sounds very similar to mine - I am 39 years old and have been dealing with SVT for the last 5-6 years.  At first i could control the episodes by bearing down or trying to gag myself - went to cardiologist after the first time i had to go the th er - pulse 220 for over an hour - gave the the adeosine drip - that is a mircale drug!  Cardio told me the same thing yours did - either live with it or get the ablasion done - he gave me toporial to take in case i have an attack - this worked for a while -
and the same thing would happen to me - i would bend down and come up too quick and boom - there goes the heart!!!  the attacks increased in the last year - cardio put me on toporal dailly - helped a bit - but i have been to the er about 10 times this year alone - the staff at the local hosiptal was starting to know me- I went to a specialist and his words to me where - what are you living like this for?
So 2 weeks ago i had it done - the ep and ablation - i will be honest with you the surgery was a very strange experience - they sedate you but dont put you under - they need to cause the palps during the procedure - deep sedation will not let them do this - to warn you it a wierd feeling to be kinda awake and have the palps induced by the catherters and also by a drug they give to induce it
i was on the table for 4 hours - which they say is not that bad - one woman was there for nine hours!
they found two spots that they burned - You will have to stay over nite in the hospital for observation
and lay flat on your back for atleast 6 hours - the worst part was taking the stints out - i had 4 in my right groin area - 2 in the left and one in the neck - You feel pretty beat up from the drugs and the entire experience - just the emotion and stress of going in there is exhausting.  The foily catherer
which is for the bladder was not a very fun experience but they remove this after 6 hours
I went home the next day in the afternoon - I will be honest my heart is still jumping around a bit and my pulse is high from 80-115 - but they have taken me off the toporal - which the drs explain is common after the surgery - your heart has to find its normal beat again and it has been poked and singed so its not a happy little muscle:) I think my anixety about having another attack and believing that it will not happen again is the cause of my higher heart rate now.  I will tell you how much you live with that feeling of when will another attack happen - and knowing that one wont now is hard to get used too .  
I would definitly have it done -take a week off if you can from work   - the drs will tell you that you can go back to work in 2 days but dont -its not only a phsyical recovery but an emotional one as well
hope this helps

[new2ths]

Hello SheCam.  I can certainly empathize with your situation.  I was diagnosed with SVT 6 years ago and recently underwent an EP study and ablation.  Like you I was skeptical about the procedure and decided to try the route of medicine first.  Had I know that 6 years later my life would be completely different after the ablation, I would have done it immediately after being diagnosed.  I am also the type of person who does not like taking medications on a regular basis, but I was terrified of the procedure which is why I opted to try the meds first. 6 years of attempting several anti-arrhythmic medications and many trips to the ER for an adenosine drip (which is just awful) is way too long to try and have something treated. I just had to learn to face my fear.  The procedure was not bad at all and I healed fairly quickly.  The most uncomfortable part about the whole thing is having to lay flat during and after the procedure.  I cannot begin to tell you how I glad I am that I had the ablation because my life has completely changed!  My heart has not experienced SVT since my procedure in Feb. There have been times when it felt like my heart was going to go into that rhythm again, but it has not. I think it's probably anxiety causing it now. I would definitely recommend the procedure because I now feel as though I have gotten my life back.  I'm only sorry for the 6 years that I lived in fear of SVT as I could have had it corrected a long time ago.  I hope this helps - good luck! :)

[ireneo]

I'm with you about taking meds. I avoid them as much as possible. But what I was thinking was having the pills for those "just in case" times. I wish I could remember which anti-arrhythmic meds can be used like that. If you're comfortable with an ablation and your doctor feels it would help you then read up on it, be informed and then decide. It's not always 100% success rate but it definitely works for some and even an improvement is positive.

[SheCam]

My doctor did mention meds, but I am hesitent on that.  I hate taking any pills.  Plus, it seems like such a pain to keep worrying about it.  Maybe if I can get this procedure done then I can also allievate all the anxiety I have worrying about it.

[ireneo]

A HR of 240-250 is not going to feel good. I was in a similar situation, having PSVT several times a week but my rate was only 180-190. I could still function and was quite used to it. My cardio said the same thing - he wouldn't hesitate to have the ablation because he wouldn't live like that. Has your doctor talked about using any meds to control it? I understand there's a med or two out there that you can keep handy and just use it when your heart goes tachy. I don't know which one it is, talk to your doc about that. But considering you only have one or two episodes a year, that might be the way to go. At least you wouldn't have to take meds everyday and deal with side effects. It's just a thought. Or you could go for the ablation. If they can trigger it during the EP study and zap it out of existence, you'd be free of it all.