Cryoablation performed; Now get exercised induced PVC's

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Howdy -

I just had a successful cryoablation performed for AVNRT SVT (2 AV junction boxes) about 9 days ago. The Electrophysiologist performed 8 full freezes in the atrium only, none in the ventricals or the other atrium. SVT was not induceable after the freezes (believe me ... they tried ... and what a horrible feeling!).

I have a structurally healthy heart, BP 110/70, cholesterol very good, and electrolytes were/are normal. I was cleared to start exercising and resume full activity 7 days after the ablation. So I did. Now I feel my heart rate ramp up (as exepected) during exercise, but I feel quite a few skipped beats as well which have me wondering if the ablation didn't cause a new problem.

Questions are:

1) Can an ablation cause a person to have MORE skipped beats after an SVT ablation procedure?
2) Could the skipped beats be a sign of partial heart block even though my heart rate can easily get up to 150 bpm?

Thanks!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

1. usually not.  the questions is are you more worried about your heart now and therefore more sensitive to extra beats.
2. probably not -- very unlikely but the only way to know is a monitor.

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"the questions is are you more worried about your heart now and therefore more sensitive to extra beats."

There is certainly a heighten sense of anxiety when I go to work out. At first I try to think about something other than my heart. As soon as one happens though, I start thinking about it more, and more start bombarding me. About 15 minutes into the workout, I stopped because I was starting to get very nervous something else was wrong. I rarely, if ever, have the skipped beats when at rest which seems to be the opposite of almost everyone else.

I will ask about a monitor on my check-up appointment.

[Donald7252]

I had an ablation for a-fib in November. I have been going through the same thing, PVC's/PAC's. I started getting them when I was taken of the medication I was taking for the a-fib, Flecanaide, 150mg twice a day. Fortunately, if I stay on the drugs I don't have them. I didn't have them prior to going on anti-arrythmic drucs about 5 years ago. The Dr. that performed the ablation wants to redo it to see if they go away, or lessen. My normal EP is not so sure if the risk is worth it, second ablation, if the drugs control it. When I had the ablation I joined a gym and had these great plans of getting back into better shape. The skipped beats cancelled that plan. Other than not having any real breakthroughs of A-fib, I don't feel that much better because the drugs have their own side effects that I was hoping to get rid of. The side effects are much better than the skipped beats, and the Dr.'s are still trying to figure out the cause. They keep saying not to worry, but as you are aware, that is not possible, they are very distracting. Good luck!!

Donald

[tsco]

I've had four ablations and have come to realize or feel that for whatever reason the abnormal beats have dramatically increased throughout.  My initial problem was an SVT they said could be cured, it wasn't. Back then I didn't have a bunch of extra beats. The extra beats started after that first ablation, theb drugs were started to help the SVT and the extra beats. Since my last ablation I now have a Left Bundle Block that shows up if my heart rate gets around 120 BPM.  Hard to excercise and stay lower than 120.  I'm 46 and was always an outdoorsman. Flecanide is great so far in reducing the PVCs and PACs.  The docs will always say not likely the onset of stuff is from the ablations.  May be and maybe not.  We really have no choice but to go with the flow but I am really starting to feel like the biggest guinea pig.  But then some are helped by ablations and that's a great thing. I agree I would much rather deal with side effects than PVCs. No one understands that unless they live...no one! I agree worry can aggrevate the problem. So you have to take it one day at a time.