PVCs

[lancexavier]

I've noticed lengthy dialogues on this subject, if this has been mentioned before, I apologize!  I'm 53 y.o. post menopausal, female.  Health concerns: hypothyroidism controlled, 8 months post wrist ligament surgery post MVA. Family hx: CVA Grandmother dead age 47, Grandfather Heart Failure dead, Mother dead 42 suicide, father hx. unknown.
Meds: Levothyroxine 67.5 mgs., Atenolol 50mgs, Lunesta 2mgs, Tramadol 50mgs., Low Dose Estrogen and 81 mgs. ASA.
June 2010, to Primary M.D. with devastating fatigue and SOB (had been walking 20 mis. week).  Holter monitor showed elev. HR of 130 at night/50's during day.  Sleep center ruled out sleep apnea, PVC's noted on study, some triplets and up to 18 in a row. Rx'd Atenolol 15 mgs. and Lunesta (sleep deprivation noted on sleep study, though I am in bed 10 hrs at a stretch, then napping).  Anecdotally, aunt notes that I had abnl. hr even in teens.  This is really something, as I have always had 'stamina' issues and SOB, accpeted this as lack of stamina, but just recently discovered that I had abnl. hr as teen.  I have had occassions when PVC's were noted throughout the yrs, but as a former healthcare worker, knew them to be benign, and ignore.  At cardiologist office, one EKG showed hr of 40, next month, one of 130 and incredible fatigue.  I am unaware of hr of 130, makes me think I've adapted thru yrs.  Presented for f/u this week for Cardio review of Atenolol, throwing off PVCs while in office, referred to electrophysiatrist for eval of Calcium Blocers and/or ablation.  I asked if I could increase Atenolol to 50mgs.  My SOB and chest pain has abated somewhat at 50mgs, though still (now I am noticing) feel PVC's... they come in swarms in the evening with Chest Pain or while sleeping (explains lack of restful sleep).
Tests:  Treadmill  nl, Cardiac Cath (5 yrs. ago s/p SOB/syncope)nl, Heart Scan (the name of which I don't recall, but the little machine maps your heart) nl,  Cortisol and HST/TSH nl, Sed Rate nl, I am down the middle in every blood panel/UA.  

Do you suggest ablation?

[chuparosa]

I'm kinda confused by all the information in your post. Did your doctor suggest an ablation for your pvc's or are you considering it without your doctor discussing it with you? Have you tried making any lifestyle changes to reduce your pvc's? I think that would be the way to go before considering surgery.

[Jerry_NJ]

I see you have been reading here in the past, so I'll welcome you as new at posting here.

Sorry no one has come up with any specific help, all I can offer is general help.

The decision "tree" I have used has only two branches:  risk and reward.  One needs to explore both of these the best they can before making a decision, a decision that has to be supported by a qualified doctor, usually a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology, an EP.   For me the reward has not justified the risk so I remain in treated atrial fibrillation. Would I like to be in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)?  Absolutely, but as the symptoms I suffer from are minor in most respects (I can no longer jog for exercise) and the risks are finite, including a relatively low probability of success, so I just live with AFib.  

For others the symptoms are severe and even debilitating,  for them even a low probability of success and a finite risk of complications is justified.  These issues have to be discussed with a prescribing doctor(s).  I think most will not advise or even take on the work if they see it as a bad set of risk/benefit trade offs.