epicardial ablation

[gi in az]

Thank you for taking my questions.  I have failed PVC ablation and all medication that available does not work or am allegic to.  I have 30% of my heart beat are PVC and lighteheadeness, extemete fatigue and SOB because of them.  I have continued to work but very hard. I now take lasix and Potassium, I also take toprol xl and verelan pm. My Dr. feels that I need to have epicardial ablation now. Ihave no heart disease other than the PVC and will be happy if can get them down to 10% of my beats.  I have had PVC for years but were undercontrol with meds until 2 years ago. I also feel my days of working are coming to end if this is not solved soon. I know that the Dr. I see is getting training to do these in a couple of months.

My questions are

1. Do you know who does these out in the west.

2. If were compications --- what are the usual ones----I know anything can happen.

3. How long after these procedures before can go back to work.

4. Should I be concerned about just learing epicardial ablation technique and having this done

5. Any other words of wisdom or thought.



Thank you very much for your opinion and thoughts, always helps to have someone elses thoughts.   gi in az

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi gi,



1. Do you know who does these out in the west.



I do not.



2. If were compications --- what are the usual ones----I know anything can happen.



We are always watching for bleeding in the pericardial space that can lead to cardiac tamponade.  Death is rare but always possible.



3. How long after these procedures before can go back to work.



if all goes well, just a few days (maybe a few weeks if you are an airline pilot...)



4. Should I be concerned about just learing epicardial ablation technique and having this done



Experience is very important in doing procedures.



5. Any other words of wisdom or thought.



Consider getting a second opinion from another EP, preferably at an academic center that does high volume of ablations.  There is always a chance that they may have more success using standard techniques.



Good luck with your procedure.  I hope it helps.

[LacyMary]

Have you contacted Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona?  YES, expereince is crucial.  You need a doctor who has done this in their sleep..over and over again. Good Luck to you.

[Momto3]

I agree with the others' comments.  You want to be at a large center which does these routinely.  



I was having similar pvc events (24% of all beats were ectopic) and had 2 very successful ablations at a large metropolitan teaching hospital in Cleveland.



I'm curious...has your EF dropped? Any ankle swelling? Do you have any other cardiac issues?  I was also SOB and easily fatigued (though I am not sure it was directly attributable to the pvcs since I had a lot going on in my life at that time).  The ankle swelling definitely caught my attention b/c I had NEVER had that before.  



There used to be a poster on this board who also had very frequent pvcs.  She was in CA and I believe she ended up with a cardio tam from Cedar Sinai (could have been UCLA).  I know she was getting excellent care and treatment.  Ultimately, she did not end up with an ablation, but was very thoroughly checked over and felt very comfortable with her options.



Any family or friends in Cleveland? You might also be interested in getting a 2nd opinion through Cleveland's on-line 2nd opinion program.  I think it costs about $600, but others have said it was well worth the $$$.



Connie



Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon.



Connie

[dquenzer]

Who was your doctor at Mayo?



I had ablation at Mayo and it worked very successfully.



Have you tried Mayo at Rochester,MN?  That's where I went.

[gi in az]

Lacy, Mayo in Scottdale is who told me need epicardial ablation and they will not be doing them until Sept.  They are the ones who did my last ablation which did not work. Last holter showed over 30000 pvcs.

[LacyMary]

OOOH!  )-:  



Is there anyway you can get to the Clevelnad Clinic?  I saw on another site that a lady from Vegas was headed to Cleveland for this procedure.  You want the best.



Good Luck To You.

[gi in az]

When were at the mayo in rochester?  Who was the Dr. who did your procedure.  I was iformed that they just started epicardial ablation recently.  My email addreess if ***@**** if you like to send me more information I would really appprecitate it. Thank you

[upbeat63]

Just wondering if you've had more information about the ablation procedure yet, or maybe you've already had it done??? I have very high frequency PVCs 24,000 per day and even though I have mild symptoms including slight dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath, I've been finding it more and more difficult to work because of the ever changing pattern and frequency.



I've only tried toperol for three days, but it stopped the couplets and nsvt, I just didn't like the side-effects (felt like I was spaced out). I'm back to just high frequency, but some days I think I'd do anything to get rid of them. Other days are easier. More good news from other posters is always appreciated. Hope you get some relief.

[gi in az]

Have not had ablation let, will be going to mayo in rochester to have it done.  I am waiting to have it scheduled.  I just want to have it done at this point.  I am in bigemy alot of the time,  doing so many that my heart rate is in the 36-42 rate alot.  Will ley you know what happens.

[upbeat63]

Is the ablation recommended because you are still having the bigeminy with the medication? It seems a very little amount of toperol for a short time brings me out of the bigeminy, but the frequency remains incredibly high still. Mine are about 20% of my heart beat.



Good luck and god bless. Will look forward to hearing your results, hope it's fabulous.