SVT Ablation worth it?

[Barry1685]

I have a scheduled ablation this Friday. I was diagnosed with SVT and I didn't even know I had it. I get a lot of palpitations and I am currently on 25mg of beta blocker x2 a day. I want to know if the ablation is worth it. Will it get rid of my palpitations? The alternative is to go on 50mg x2 a day. I don't know if I want to be on that much beta blocker at such a young age (23). I think I had an SVT once and that was a year ago playing basketball, I came down from a shot and landed hard and my heart started beating fast and weird and I couldn't control it. The symptom went away in about 10 seconds. What does everyone think?

[tom_h]

Cardiac ablation is performed on a number of different type of arrhythmia.  For supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT) it is very effective and it can last a lifetime (not saying that it will).  I'm going on 7 years SVT free.

[Dlaible]

One ablasion doesn't last forever . I think it's about 10 years. They don't like to do it after 70 yrs.
I had ablasion in November that was not totally successful . They had to stop since they did cardio version 4 times and was only half done. So now I am on a serious but wonderful drug called Sotolol. I should have done the serious Meds first. I was on beta blocker Metopropanol for many years. One night in March, after the ablasion at 7:30 pm watching TV my heart started beating about 150 per minute . We called ambulance went to the hospital and it didn't stop until 2:00 am. That was after the ablasion I had in November .
I'm on Meds now anyway, just a more serious med.

[tom_h]

Monica, I would contact your electrophysiologist  and express your concerns to him or her.  If they know ahead of time, they can arrange for a sedative prior to going into the cath lab.  I was given a shot of Vallium, just prior to being wheeled away, and barely made it to the lab before falling unconscience.  I was given general anesthesia and remember literally nothing of the procedure.  Today's sedatives are wonderful drugs.  They make you feel momentarily tired as opposed to having your consciouness pulled away from you.  I had numerous injuries in my younger days that required surgery, and I always hated that feeling of being drawn away; the period of acute hearing, and the increasing rush of static.  Today's sedation is not like that.  It feels more like instantly having a little too much to drink, followed by sleep.  Try it once, and you'll never be afraid of confronting again.  Good luck next week.  You can do it!

[MonicaMitchell]

I'm scheduled for an ablation for SVT 9/20/16 and I am so nervous.  I'm not nervous for the procedure but for being sedated. I have bad anxiety and panic attack disorder and I'm nervous being sedated will make me have a panic attack but not be able to do anything about it cause I will be drugged.  I'm hoping I will be sedated enough to not really care or too relaxed to go into a panic attack.  Anyone have experience of this for me to feel better about the procedure

[MonicaMitchell]

I'm scheduled for an ablation for SVT 9/20/16 and I am so nervous.  I'm not nervous for the procedure but for being sedated. I have bad anxiety and panic attack disorder and I'm nervous being sedated will make me have a panic attack but not be able to do anything about it cause I will be drugged.  I'm hoping I will be sedated enough to not really care or too relaxed to go into a panic attack.  Anyone have experience of this for me to feel better about the procedure

[Kathleen68]

My son was told he had SVT at 10 years of age.. He went 2 years without an episode... The 2nd time he had an episode he was 12 years old and was able to self correct it..  He had a few episodes in the next few months he was able to self correct them... Last month now 13 years old he was having a hard time self correcting.  The school called an EMT and the reading showed his heart rate was near 300.  After 40 mins he was able to self correct and now they want him to do EP testing and may want to do the ablation.  He is a dancer and seriously wants to do this for a living. I guess I need reassuring that this age is a good age to have this done.

[Underfirexx]

Hey barry. My names Brad and im also 23 and have SVT. Yesterday (may 23rd) i had my first ablation. Before my ablation i was terrified! Ive never been "put under" or had and procedures or surgeries in my life
I asked in the procedure could kill me several times, several doctors and got the same answer "no" yadada "worst case you leave with a pacemaker". When u go under, can u imagine hearing and seeing 10 people hovering above u? Its scary. Then all i remember is words saying "hes dieing get the paddles ready hurry!"
Well during my ablation i "died" 2 times and was brought back via shock paddles. The doctor never spoke to me and when i asked for him he never came. He told my mom i was fixed, my hearts like brand new, yay! Its been almost 24 hours since the proceadure and ive counted a total of 27 irregular heart palpitations. One of those while typing this. Prior to my operation i had a 20% fraction rate to my left atrical valve.

What they do is go into your heart with these tubes. They trigger every possible heart problem they can. Then they try to stop it. After they find the problem, start and stop it, then they ablate it.
Theyre playing an arcade game, galica. Remember? Youre a lil ship at the bottom (there camera and burn tool) shooting at the ships getting closer (your heart)..
But from what you explain, your condition is like how mine was when i was about 12. Currently i get rushed to the ER 1-2 times a month bpm of 250 easy every time. It takes 2- 12mg adinocard to convert me. And the idea of shock paddles were mentioned every time but, ive been tased. Its not fun so when they brought up shock paddles i would refuse.
Im not tryin to scare u out of the surgery.. Im tryin to let you know what will happen if u wait to long
Catch the s*** early before its to late!
I lost out on a baseball scolarship to LSU cause i cant get cleared by a doctor. And im living off of an SSI check cause simple s*** like standing up from a desk will make my heart race..

Do it man.

[cjingatorville]

I was really unsure about this SVT procedure and was really dreading the procedure. You all have gave me some peace of mind. I go in the hospital tomorrow to have mine done. Will try and fine this site again and let you all know how it went. thanks again Chris

[fozzy27]

Hi my names coltin I'm 15 ige had palpitatiins for 4 years and noone could figure oit what was wrong until as of 2 months ago and I've decise to do the ablation because the odds are in ky favor and I get 3 a day and that's a crap load plus I'm young ajd they tend to get worse

[SVT_Steve]

I'm in same boat.  Worst part of my SVT is that it was 5+ years befoe I finally caught it on a loop monitor.  Did holters, ran up steep hills on hot day - nothing.  Then I'd be totally relaxed playing golf, ground my club and boom, full 220 episode - no monitor or course. Naturally arrogant cardiologists just think your another whack job until they see a test result.   I've had this for ~10 years, I'm 43.  I can run 3 miles, lift weights normally without issue.  I'm a finance guy so I treat this like a business case and look at risk vs reward.  Right now at 43 I can  tolerate episodes well and thru vagal maneuvers can normally get out of SVT in 10 seconds max.   When I hear this is non life threatening I'd say that depends on age.  Everyone develops som level of coronary artery disease.   So if you opt out of ablation then the plan for me will be tolerate as long as possible (woulld ahoot for 60) and then commit to meds.  But in back of head I thinking I want ablation before 50.  I gave up hockey and don't want to give up anything else.  FYI I was prescribed metoprolol as a 'pocket pill'.  So what I do is take a minimal dose before golf and it's worked very well!!  I've also used it ahead of impt meetings (work for large bank) and it's amazing for calming u down.

[eduardo70]

First of all, let me tell you an interesting point; we are the same age and taking the same medicine for the same problem....I started to take metoprolol succinate 25mg....after a few months about 5 my cardiologist realize that it was not helping much so he increase the dose to 50mg then my eletrophisiologist increased to 75mg.....after the few months I took the 25mg  I experience some problems with my lungs; my airways were narrowing and my pulmonologist thought I had COPD. thankfully I don't my lungs are totally find after 1 months I recovered....however, after the increase to 50mg the shortness of breath cause for the narrowing of the airways returned but only occasionally but when it was increased to 75mg it was a 24/7 shortness of breath until i lowered myself to 50mg now im feeling a little better and made an appointment to see my eletrophysiologist in 4 days......bottom line, go for it bro this beta blocker may help you with this problem but ultimately they will damage other organs but before you do check the doctor's background don't let anybody mess around with your heart....Im also considering an ablation because i have heard that the rate of success for our problem is about 94% and my eletrophysiologist is the director of the most experience hospital in my state so Im pretty sure Im going for it as soon as my doctor give me the green light so good luck I will pray for you we are too young to be stopped by this so keep it up

[littlegreenman1]

See my comments above.
I'm wearing a holter right NOW only to prove I'm OK for a pilot's license.
Go. Live.

[tom_h]

By the way, we never heard from Barry after his last post above.  We can only hope his ablation was successful and he has moved on with his life.  I prefer to hang around and offer hope to those who experience ( I detest using "suffer from") SVT, and the interruption of normal lfe it creates.

[tom_h]

Two years ago, I had a successful ablation for near lifelong, unmedicated SVT.  I had begun taking a beta blocker about 5years prior to the ablation for an unrelated reason.  Afterwards, I continue to take a somewhat lower dose as a precaution against hypertension and heart attack survivability, something that must be considered as I crashed through 60 years of age.  I regard my daily multi-vitamin, and my micronutrient supplement as something that I will take "for life".  So why not add the beta blocker in as part of the daily morning ritual?  I don't consider this as a burden, but rather a part of a routine.  I do not suffer any side effects from it, so the daily process is automatic.  There are a multitude of possible beta, calcium, or sodium channel blockers to try that offer different benefits and side effects.  You just have to find the right one and the right dose.  I'm 62 and extremely active for an old guy.  My beta blocker doesn't slow me down in the least!

Here's a link to a a forum member's Jannie411's journal: http://www.medhelp.org/search?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=jannie411&camp=top_nav_search

She give a very good account of the process, if you're interested in knowing what happens.  After a near lifetime of SVT,  ablation gave what remains of my life back to me.  I would encourage you to consider it.

[Sharp82]

Did you have the ablation?  I am 31 yr old female and I just found out yesterday I have SVT:(. I'm a mother of 2 young children and I'm already tired so the thought of a BB causing more exhaustion is more than in appealing.  I'm going to the dr tomorrow to discuss my options.  I just can't bare the thought of being on something FOREVER!!!  I'd love to hear about your experience and how you are doing ow after ablation.

[Aweri]

I had a laser ablation done in 2000 and during the procedure I had an episode of atrial fribrillation.  It did not take care of my SVT and today I am experiencing high blood pressure with the SVT ... I am currently on Lopressor 100 mg and 25 mg spironolactone. I still get heachaches,chills and fullness in my head along with right side numbness. I also am taking other meds for pain management for back injury at work. On the light side boy I wish I had a new body.

[jennybear143]

Hi there-
I am in the same boat as you are. I had an unsuccessfull ablation done 3 years ago and have had 3 SVT attacks since, which are now very scarey. They were not full blown attacks as before the ablation, but scarey because I also get panic attacks right after for fear of dying. I just saw my heart doctor and he said he wanted to do another ablation, this time using the burning technique rather that the freezing technique. When the tried to freeze the "bad cells" during my first ablation, he said my heart was too small to attempt the area where the bad cells were. I'm so sick of worrying when or if the next attack will happen. Very Scarey. It is nice to know I am not the only one for sure.

[sdander]

Hi Tom,

I am happy to share my story with anyone who asks.  If anyone is in Austin, TX I am happy to share my EP docs name as he was wonderful as was the staff.  Thank you again and Happy New Year!!

[MichelleP_3811]

Do you know there is a doctors section on this site.   If you go to the top where it says forums choose Doctors Forums and the heart rhythm section there.  I am not certain how often questions get answered but that would be your best bet for more professional advice.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do and keep us posted on how you are.

[Mangser]

Well now i had discomfort chest feeling very weird n odds especially when its slow n iregular  ( Bradycardia ) and when i exercise its SVT my cardiologist told  me mine case where quite strange thats why they ask me to go for RFA n they diangose my case as more to Electric shock curciut kind of stuff ...... and i did 2  stress test n the both test also show when recovery thats SVT and when i exercise especially after playing badminton it will suddenly pop  up hte pulse to 200/min and my neck especially its like frog neck popping sometimes scary so i lie down for 15 to 20 minutes is slowly cool down and i would have lots of stomach discomfort n lots of burping n sometimes the wind like stuck in your throat that part is scary thats why i am really hope there is a cure hope the EPS + RFA can cure it permanently or at least give me a 80 - 90 % back to normal recovery .

Michelle i am on Co-Approval 300mg/ 12.5
1/2 tablet daily for my slight hypertension
And simvastatin 20mg for my cholesterol  ( 1 tablet )
My LDL and overal cholesterol quite high
LDL > 4.5
total Choles  > 6.8

Mind both doctors  says my electrical system of the heart is quite abnormal
and they put me on ISOPTIN RETARD 240mg ( 1/2 Tablet 120mg )
daily but my blood pressure n heartbeat seems lower a lot thats why they ask to stop and try this RFA procedure to cure this Electro Imbalance things . ANyway i still have 8 days to get some ideas n comment before my 8th JAn RFA ..... A bit nervous as Michelle u told me its permanent and dunno any other odd things will happen or positive side i will be cured n fully recovered taking some risk just also desperately need some opinion but i know my ECG is bad results CT SCAN NORMAL : -
Sl ight thickening of the heart muscle ( ULTRA SOUND )

Echo Test : - Very strange fast n slow heart pumping

[Mangser]

Dear Michelle n Curmudgen ,
  Thanks for the comment i've had my CT SCAN done calcium

The reports says as below  : -

C.T. Coronary Angiogram :

The total calcium score is 0 , which places the patient between 0th and 25th percentile for his age group. Right dominant circulation noted .

Right Coronary Artery :

The originin of the right coronary artery is in normal postioin. No mural plaques are seen in all the segments nor branches of the right coronary artery .

Left Coronary Artery :
The origin of the left coronary artery is in normal position . There is no mural plaque at its ostium nor main stem.

Left Anterior Sescending Artery :

There is no evidence of atherosclerotic disease in the left anterior descending artery nor the diagonal branches . Myocardial bridging of the distal segment is noted .

Ramus Intermedius :

There is no mural plaque in the ramus intermedius .

Left Circumflex artery :

No mural plaques are seen in the left circumflex artery nor the obtuse marginal branches .

Impresssion :

Normal examination .

NB : 1 . This test does not predict the probability of plaque rupture resulting in mycordial infarction .

       2. The presence of calcifications may preclude accurate assessment of arterial lumen .

   This is the CT SCAN report

ANyway i really have very irregular n slow heartbeat that sometimes make me feels so odds n confusion i got a friedn who did this RFA he says after doing heart rhythm is normal back n no more shock circuit of the heart he advise me to do n not much pain n worth it this RFA procedure can permanently cure alll types os fast or slow heartbeat n iregular .

I just wanna back with my active life n can exercise normally without any SVT attacks. Anyway i am so glad this forum i get advise n guidance from all of u .... Happy New Year do advise me maybe the United States the Heart Surgeon or Knowledge is More advance .. so i need some guide .

Happy 2012 do keep in touch ..

[tom_h]

Great!  Glad the procedure went well, and that you're on the road to recovery!  The insertion area will be tender for a week or so, and it isn't uncommon to walk with a little limp for a couple of weeks.  Using it though is the best medicine.  Good luck, and keep us aprised of your condition.  And don't be afraid to be a spokesperson for one of the many success stories.  A lot of people show up here looking for advice when an EP procedure fails, and it really appears to reduce the actual success rate.  Here's to an active 2012!

[sdander]

Hi Tom!

Well I am on the other side of my EP study and it turns out it was an atrial SVT.  I was pretty groggy when my doc talked to me but have lots of questions for him when I talk to him.  He said it was NOT a-fib and once he cauterized the area that was acting up he couldn't get it to do it again so he is pretty confident he got it. So I have to say I am very happy with my outcome.  Like you have said it may not be the solution for everyone but so far I am happy with my results.  Of course, I had it done on 12/29 and it has only been 2 days but aside from a little pain on the site they inserted the catheter I feel great today!

Thank you for your encouragement and for sharing your story.  I appreciate it! I will check in from time to time to let you know of my progress!

Happy New Year! I look forward to a much more active 2012!!

[curmudgen]

Just a comment - you have an RBBB which in itself is a conduction problem usually of no consequence.  Has any determination been made as to the origin of your arrhythmia?  unifocal PVC's are the best to have since they originate from one place in the heart and can be ablated reasonably well.  What was your calcium score (CT scan) - determines level of hard plaque in heart... did you have CT angiogram to check flow through heart vessels?  I would do all these tests first before an ablation...  ablations are permenant.  good luck.