Glassheart.
Oops, I didn't see the afib question.
We can make almost anyone develop afib in the EP lab. The development of afib during ventricular stimulation at 4 times per second (240 bpm!) will make many patients go into afib. Although it may increase your future chance of developing afib by a tiny amount, it would be borrowing problems to worry about that at this point.
Good luck.
Thanks for the post. I was a little concerned about that episode of afib. I'm curious as to why the doc has not posted back to Lynn on her "Failed Ablation." What's up with that do you think?
You didn't answer my question about the afib during the ablation. In answer to your question, "why do I think I have a glassheart?" Answer: I have been doing stained glass for over 12 years and that is the name I chose for my business as my signature stain glass pieces are variations of glass hearts. The name has nothing to do with my heart problems or ablations, just a name I use on all of the forum I post. Thank you for responding to my question.
Sincerely,
The Glass Heart
Glassheart46,
Thanks for the post. Why do you think that you have a glass heart?
Q1:"What is a catecholamine dependent crista terminalis tachycardia?"
This is an atrial tachycardia. The EP doctor ablated several areas, most likely because it was not clear as to which of the several different areas were actually causing the tachycardia, or perhaps because he/she had evidence that more than one type of tachycardia was present.
Q2:"Why does my heart rate vary all the time since the ablation?"
During the first 3 months post ablation, it is very common for tachycardias to actually worsen. We think that this has to do with the inflammatory reaction to the scar created by the RF ablation. This may explain your new heart rate fluctuations, particularly given that you had an ablation in the crista terminalis, a site near the heart's own pacemaker.
Q3:"How long and is it normal to expect little blips and skips and an occassional speed up"
See Q2.
Q4:"Is ablation a succes?"
Sounds like it, but only time will tell.
Good luck.