AVNRT

[TBONE808]

I am 39 soon to be a 40 year old male(father of 3 under the aget of 5) who had ASD as a child and went through surgery at the age of 4.I received excellent surgical care, and am one of the first case studies for repair of the mitral valve with pericardium grafting,  which I remained asymptomatic for  past 34 years. I had occasional tachycardia buy just very brief. Last year, I experienced tachycardia that I was un able to control and was becoming more frequent. My cardiologist diagnosed me with AVNRT. I was told that this was good news and 95% percent curative. I went through an EP/CA last year in the December time frame. Post procedure my symptoms changed and  I was than diagnosed with incessant tachycardia. The cardiologist and EP tried DIGOXEN with no luck and than put me on Verapamil 120MG slow release. Which after review under a holter and ECHO had subsided. 2 months later, I was noticing additional episodes. My cardiologist raised my dosage to 240MG slow release and I have felt fine with brief tach. At my annual follow up, I had a stress test and went into SVT. The strange thing is that I do not feel the elevated heart rate.  My doc is yet increasing the does again.  I have been told to refrain from stressful excursion.  Because of my altered anatomy,I am fearful of a second ablation and winding up with a pacemaker. I was told  by the EP that the fast path and slow path are close and that if the fully catheterize my path I may result in full heart block.  I am also hesitant because after my first ablation my symptoms in my mind got worse... I am open to directions or opinions. What is the long term risk of a pace maker? Should I have a second ablation.... Besides not doing anything and developing heartfailure or a stroke  what are the risks factors.  This field is new especially for those with altered anatomies.  How does one determine the skill and expertise of an electrophysiologist? I am under treatment in an adult congenitial heart center. Is there a second level of expertise I should be seeking...

Sincerly

I want my life back.

[misha_AL]

You are handling your situation with much better grace and calm that I would.  That's awesome.  The stress is the worst part of any AVNT!  You might want to check with your cardiologist/electrocardiologist to see if any supplements would help with the issue since you are looking at alternatives to possible pacemaker.  I found taking prescription fish oil and Coq10 to help me... Your case is different from mine in that you have a life long medical history of this issue (basically).  I found these two supplements really have improved my quality of life drastically and I was able to get off the arapamil 120x 1 daily.  ehhh.. side effects were horrible for me.  Extreme fatigue, fogginess, weight gain, depression.. again ehhh.

Good luck and good health.

[Jerry_NJ]

I can't answer most of your question, but will offer a few thoughts.  I have undergone a mitral valve repair myself, but mine was much later in life that your case.

As for pacemakers, I have read of some problems, but the two people I know who are on pacemakers, and who are 30 years you senior, have had good results.  I'm not sure how the pacemaker deals with the need for additional HR, e.g., exercise, but the subjects I know, one also has a defibrillator function (I think that is unusual), are doing well with a very regular HR when inactive..which they are most of the time, being older makes that easier.

There are several regulars on the Community who wear pacemakers, my response will bump you to the top of the list, maybe one or more will respond on the second try.