I have a teen with SVT.

[Wendy080]

Can you give me the success rate of cryoablation on SVT's? What is the rate of the SVT returning? What is the rate of people having to have pacemakers after a failed ablation? Can you live a normal teen life with a pacemaker? Is an ablation a dangerous procedure? Can you join the military after an ablation is deemed successful? Who is the Top doctor on the east coast?
Thanks

[Wendy080]

I don't have problem with them watching, but my daughter might.LOL. We have to wait to schedule, because the doctor is on vacation. I plan on telling him my concerns and wishes as soon as I can. Thank you all again for your comments and advice. I may call the doctors Cindy listed just to be informed. We are pretty spiritual and I'm going by my daughters comments. She says she isn't worried at all. She is at peace with this decission. I feel God is directing and guiding her and I will go with that.

[ireneo]

I had my ablations done at a "teaching" hospital but my EP cardiologist ran the show. The cardiologist handling the catheters was also a long time doctor at the university. But yes, there were other cardio students there to watch and learn. It was quite a crowded room. :-)

[Wendy080]

I feel the doctor we have is good. He is concidered an expert in pediatric cardiac arrhythmias @ UVA. I checked out his schooling and I believe he has gone to some really great schools. He has fellowed USC & the Medical College of Georgia Pediatric Cardiology-Electrophysiology, Stanford University, and  University of California San Francisco. He is also an assisant professor at UVA. My thing is, UVA is a teaching hospital. I don't want my daughter used as a teaching tool. They can watch, but I don't want students doing the procedure. Thanks for the encouragement. I need it.

[cindy707]

In most cases the success rate w. ablations are pretty high especially w. someone your age group as a teen..the heart heals much faster.  It would take ALOT to have to have a pacemaker after the procedure and in my humble opinion would in most cases be due from operator error so you are right w. finding the best of the best.  I too had an ablation for SVT among other things and it was successful.  And no an ablation to me was much easier than a root canal.  It is a no brainer and pretty much almost risk free if you have a good doc.  The two best docs in the world are Dr. Natale out of the Texas area and Dr. Mel Sheinmann out of northern california.  They are the two that developed the procedure and train all of the top dog docs in the world.  I have heard that you can call their offices and they will give you a referral to the best of the best in your geographical area.  As far as military standards go...if your teen has the procedure and it is successful i don't see where there would be an issue but they do have their own protocol that they go by..my dad was a marine lifer , had a couple of issues and it was fine. They have their own military docs that make those decisions....good luck hope this was helpful....

[debbier]

Hi Wendy,

I had an ablation for svt 6 months ago.  The success rate is between 75-90%.  There is always a chance or arrythmias to return.  Have you had a consult with an EP?  I would address all you concerns with an EP that you trust.  Where are you located?  I am in NY.   My EP, Joseph Levine is one of the best in the area.  I am not sure about the military issue.