First off, I am not a doctor, but a scientist. That means either you can ignore me, or think about what I am saying.
Ablations (rf) are now commonly used to treat a wide variety of arrhythmias, particularly those with identifiable foci (overactive cardiac tissue which send out signals interfering with the normal pacemaker system). In the case of "benign" PACs and PVCs, the usual approach is to leave them alone, UNLESS, they really bother you (which translates to a question of risk vs benefit). I would judge that as a rule of thumb, if skips only occur occassionally, then forget it...however, if there are many skips (let's say 6+/min as an example), then a case might be made. Check carefully through the archives of this forum, and you will find at least several examples wherein the doctor has suggested an EP evaluation for ablation for people afflicted with "troublesome" PACs/PVCs...the reasons are probably that the Cleveland Clinic is one of many such clinics that simply has a lot of experience with the ablation procedure and can claim a better risk/benefit ratio.
Tambocor. It is an antiarrhythmic agent of the 1C class. It's primary effect is to decrease the intracardiac conduction in all parts of the heart with the greatest effect on the His-Purkinje system. It's primarily used to decrease the automaticity of cardiac tissue, and is applied mostly to cases of PSVT and PAF. It is not recommended for patients with milder forms of ventricular arrhythmia, eg, PVCs. Like other antiarrhythmics, it has some pro-arrhythmia activity as well... The biggest no-no with this drug, is that it should never be used in people who have had a myocardiac infarction since it increases their mortality, or in people with chronic AF since it increases the incidence of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
It has some side effects, typically including dizziness and vision disturbances. It is not the cat's meow, nor is it the world's deadliest poison...it's just another antiarrhythmic drug.
I have used it with some success (at the lowest dose) to reduce the number of PACs (as recommended by my cardio). I discontinued it's use, because I was uncomfortable about the dependence upon a drug for the rest of my life for a condition that's bascially benign.
I have enjoyed reading this forum but wonder if I am in the right area, if not maybe someone can point me in the right direction.
My problem is that about every three weeks I get what can only be described as a 'flutter' in the throat and a bit of a 'jump' in the area just above my waist. It is not painful but causes me to stop for a minute. Sometimes I look around thinking what can I do if I have a heart attack. I am going to go to the doctors but came across this site so thought I would post this question. If I am in the wrong area could someone please advise. Thank you.
Hi, Thank you for the comments. I just want to know one thning. Does anybody else suffering from PVC,s have severe dizzines like me or should I be concerned about something else causing it. Also, has anyone flat out had an ablation for these annoying PVC.s. Will they perform one for such a case? I don't want to live with them the rest of my life and I don't like taking Toprol either, it slows my heart rate down to much and I feel like a Zombie.
Just saw my cardiologist and posed the very question you had - can an ablation be done for these PVC since I don't want to live with them all my life? He said that any reputable interventional cardiologist would not perform such a procedures unless there is a underlying condition that would make the PVCs a more serious condition. With an anatomycally healthy heart PVCs are considered a bening condition (easy for a doctor to say) with time as you get old - yes, your heart could anatomycally change and render the benign PVCs a more serious condition. Only them, the procedure should be performed. I wish there was another answer to this condition - I have seen a few (last count- 6 cardiologists - 2 of which a John Hopkins University) and they all say the same thing --- not to worry ---- I will not drop dead - basically learn to live with it --- I don't like to hear that but I am starting to think that it is the truth. Regards, Paola
My name is Don Steinitz. I have enjoyed reading all the earlier posts which does afford some comfort knowing other people are in the same boat. This is my story: I have a history of panic attacks. A also had complained of PVC's as a bi-product of being nervous. My internest put me on Toprol which was given to me to calm my nerves and reduce the PVC's. It worked for several years. After awhile I noticed I was getting bad anxiety and thought it could be from the Toprol. I later saw cardiologist and he put a holter monitor on me a confirmed the PVC's. He put me on TAMBOCOR. It workeed GREAT for 6 years until I read HORRROR stories about TAMBOCOR. I saw another cardiologist for a swecond opinion and he said get off it now (It's toxic) and rarely used unless for serious heart problems with no serios hear disease. He said don't worry about the benign PVC's. The problem is that TAMBOCOR helps me with PVC's and calms me down so I don't become prone to anxiety attacks.
What should I do folks. Now my cardiologists won't talk to me for seeking a second opinion. Is there something out there that will prevent PVC's and calm a person down. I have asthma and I believe Beta Blockers are out. I am taking Klonopin & Celexa which is not the best choice. Bottom line...........IS TAMBOCOR REALLY DANGEROUS?????????
Don
Toprol slows down your heart rate - hence it should make your pvc/pac less noticeable. At first I could not understand the logic... if the heart rate is slower it would seem logical that for the pvc and pac to be more noticeable. My doc explained -in simple terms- that Toprol actually decreases the force of the "thump" that a pvc/pac sufferer feels whenever they occur. I have been taking toprol for 6 days now and the "thump" is less noticeable - I am not sure that I have a decreased number of pvc/pac - they are just a little less noticeable - by the time the day is over - however- I can feel each and every one of them... during the day is a little better. Good Luck I hope you feel better soon. Paola