Ablation-Pros and Cons

[mabebesc]

I am in the process of deciding if I should go for an ablation to cure my SVT. I would love to hear from all of you who have had one.  I need to hear all the details, both good and bad. . Thanks for your help!

[mabebesc]

Thanks so much for your replies -I really appreciate all of them!

[lagoya]

i gotta say by the time i got to see my ep i didn't care if he threw on his table there and then and ablated me i was so sick of the meds --he did however ablate me the very next day what a guy ha--
i have to say while it does sound daunting and all that it was the best thing to happen to me and my heart and while i still get pvcs and little runs it is no way near the way it was
i am now off the meds and just take a beta blocker if i feel unsteady and there is a massive improvement.
u probably know how the procedure works so i wont go into that only to say if your svt is interfering with your quality of life it is worth giving a try-- it is micro surgery and u may be sore for a few days but to not feel that thump for me it was worth it

let us know what u think

[nicolette36]

hi hun,well i got my ablation 11 days ago,so far so good,my svt seems to have gone,they found and ablated 2 pathways on the left side.i wont lie,i found the ablation very traumatic,however i was not sedated,even a teeny bit so i am sure that is why i found it such an ordeal,also my pathways were very well hidden and the doc found them hard to reach.that being said if i am cured it has been worth it.prior to my procedure i was on 10mg bisoprolol every day and that made me tired and slow so it was effecting my quality of life.

[Momto3]

Hey Sweetwaterguy!  

I'm so glad to read of your continued success!!  A ten mile hike, a fishing trip and a 10000 foot climb!!  WOW!!!  I'm impressed!!  Hey, I'd be impressed if you were 25, so I'm ultra impressed since you are a little older than that....LOL  Hey, I'm still battling the "hills" on my street...LOL

Ablation was absolutely the right decision for me also.  Prior to the procedures, I was having over 20,000 pvcs daily.  When I was told I would need anti-arrythmics for the rest of my life, I decided to try ablation(3).  Today, I have a handful of pvcs, sometimes.  I do have occasional bursts of NSVT, but very, very manageable in comparison to 5 years ago.

I know there are a number of members who have had ablation for SVT....I'm hoping they see your question once they've recovered from the weekend festivities.  I know I ate too much, but it is a big celebration afterall : )

Connie

[mabebesc]

Thanks so much for your reply-I am so happy you had a succesful ablation and you are enjoying hiking and the outdoors to the fullest!!
I did see an electrophysiologist in Boston.  He explained the risks but also said that in his opinion, he thinks I should do the abaltion. I guess I'm just going to try and get as much info as I can and go from there. Again, thanks and I wish you continued excellent cardiac health!!

[Sweetwaterguy]

I had a successful ablation a year and a half ago for atrial fib.  Although medication was resonably effective controlling it, I chose ablation because I wanted the chance to be "cured" of atrial fib, and I did not like taking medication.  
   Something must be working well for me with regard to my cardio health.  I just returned home minutes ago from a 10 mile round trip hike and fishing excursion in the Wyoming Wind River Range.  We hiked to a mountain lake 10000 feet in elevation.  I am bragging, of course.  But I don't think that is too bad for a 65 year old guy.  
   The decision for ablation is a very personal one.  I realize not everyone has as good a result as mine, but for me the risk was worth it.  If you have not had a discussion with your doctor regarding the potential benefits and the potential risk, this is a discussion you need to have.  
   Best of luck to you

[mabebesc]

By the way, good luck to all of you who have an ablation coming up!