Need information on SA node ablation

[tammygreyone1]

my father is 85 years old. He has had 2 heart attacks in the past, a mini stroke, and his kidneys are compromised.  He was on Amiodarone therapy for 6 years but developed tremors. He is on MANY other blood pressure meds still and takes coumadin  (sp) regularly.  but  discontinued the Amiodarone.  On June 29th he went back into afib.  He was put on Digoxin.  His rates are still jumping but withing range.  The doctors say there are no more meds they can recommend and he has already had cardioversions in the past ( 6 years ago) which did not hold without the amiodarone.  So.. now we are waiting on an afib specialist to fit him in to the schedule .. but has suggested to the cardiologist that  the last resort is a pace maker ...AND an SA node ablation.... I cannot find much info on SA node ablation ... PLEASE HELP..  It must not be very common and my mind is saying very risky since there is not much info... Please give me resources.. info.. thanks in advance

[tammygreyone1]

My dad is not against  having a pace maker, but we want to educate ourselves prior to meeting with the AFIB specialist, as the ablation part sounds a bit scary.   He has a scheduled appointment for September 19th, but we are on a cancellation list as well.  He is growing weaker by the day as we wait.  He has been seeing a top notch Cardiologist at the University of Michigan for the last 6 years. We will be seeing an EP for the first time on the 19th, but the Cardiologist has spoken with the EP and although we have not met with him yet, they are thinking this is the course of action to be taken.  The only information I could find on SA node was on a John Hopkins Website.   I am sorry you are going through this at such a young age.   The way it was briefly explained to me by  a nurse is that the ablation would take out the Sinus Node or SA Node, which is the hearts natural pacemaker, and a pacemaker would be implanted at that sight.  It just makes me nervous that he would be totally dependent on the pace maker to function at all times.   I guess it all comes back to .. it is really in the good Lords hands. I hope everything goes well for you .   God Bless and thank you for your input.  

[melephant]

I just had my consult with an EP Dr who is going to not only try fixing my SVT (superventricular tachycardia) with ablation but also my IST (inappropriate sinus tachycardia) .... this is a normal sinus rhythm, albeit randomly rapid, mostly at rest.  To do this he is going to "modify" my sinus node.  I could not find much information on it, either, but from what the Dr said, it is, of course, a little more risky, but not much.  I am a healthy 26 year old, though.  The way it was explained to me (as far as pacemaker risk) is that if they burn too much ... you leave with a pace maker.  Is your dad totally against one?  If I was older, I'd be more open to the possibility.  

Has he seen an EP cardiologist?