Criteria for PVC ablation.

[hankstar]

Thanks for taking my questions once again.

   What would be the criteria for recommending a PVC ablation? How many PVCs would one have to show in a 24 hour period for ablation to be recommended or does it depends on symptoms regardless of frequency?
    Once signing off on an  ablation for PVCs would a doctor be willing to perform such an ablation , even if it is not recommended and you are giving permission regardless of the outcome or does a responsible doctor ignore the patients plea and avoid a potential adverse reaction to the procedure?
     It is my understanding that even though one focus is responsible for about 60-80-% of all PVCs. Most person have mutifocal PVCs that occur from time to time. Is this true and the reason for most EP doctors not recommending ablation for PVCs?

    Would you agree that it is more abnormal not to demonstrate PVCs on a holter monitor for 24-48 hours, than to at least demonstrate a few.
    I also understand that sudden death is more likely to occur in person that hardly have any PVCs than in those that have them occasionally, have you seen any evidence to support this?

    i also understand that even though sometimes V-fib can be induced in a EP study in a normal heart, in these cases a ICD is rarely recommended or implanted, because of the very low risks of it occuring otherwise, Is this true?

    Thanks for taking so many questions, but I hate to see the  days when no questions are posted.

Thanks again.
        Hank.

  P.S. Do you think that the success stories of PVCs ablations in these far off land is true

[sheryl1945]

Dear Hank - Don't ever stop posting!  You ask intelligent questions and your own personal research makes you knowledgeable and I derive  great comfort from you.  The doctor is so terrific -- and I appreciate these fora very much.  Best of luck to you, Hank!

[wingtip]

Hate to piggyback, but chances are slim that I'll ever get through and its more of a business question.

If I have given up on the local doctors here in Buffalo, and just want to get my meds straight once and for all, how long does it take to get diagnosed at the Cleveland Clinic?

How does one go about starting the inquiry?  Do you have to drive to Cleveland, Is there a phone interview process that I can pay for that will help determine if its warrented.

[Kristin391]

What does Atrial Fib feel like?

I got it a year ago...started with some chest discomfort extreme fatigue and inability to tolerate any activity.  I couldn't carry a couple of books and walk a few steps without stopping.  I thought I had the flu and kept working through it all.  I could feel my heart beat very irregular and rapid but since I have always had a lot of PVCs I didn't think much about it.  I waited five days before I went to the Doctor, then my rates were over 200 and ended up in the hospital for rate control and diagnoses.  Now I get atrial fib periodically and it just feels very rapid and irrigular..sometimes I get dizzy but I have learned to adjust.  More frequently now I get atrial flutter which is very regular but persists over a 100 until there is intervention.  All in all, the lesson here is to not ignore the symptoms and get it checked out.

[glassheart46]

Taking a chance on posting again Hank!  Hope you don't get lamblasted like we both have in the past for POSTING to much.  However, I am very interested in hearing the doc answer on this one.  Good question!!

[dodgybeats]

Great question!!  I just wanted to comment that during an EP study I had done 5 years ago I went into VF - a totally unique experience I must say.  Because I was sedated during the procedure I was not in any pain but I certainly felt the defibrillator go off.  The EP doc said this happened because he really gave my heart a good work-out and he said it responded just fine, he was trying to make it go into V-tach.  He said he paced it really really high and that's when I fibrillated but he was not worried at all.  My GP freaked out though when he read the report.

[glassheart46]

Yes, all of my post ablation symptoms are now gone.  Ya!!  I now am only left with a few pac's, or pvc's daily which are of very little concern to me.  I still can hear my heartbeat but was told by the ENT man that my hearing is just more accute then usual.  You are certainly very well informed and know your stuff Hank.  Keep up the good posting.  You are of as much help as the docs on this site and I for one salute you!!