Worth having an Ablation?

[Chizmo]

Hi I'm Paul, I'm 26 years old and have been suffering from SVT since I was about 17. In the past few years my attacks have increased to every couple of months, some episodes are short maybe 15- 30 minutes or up to an hour and some longer. Recently my attacks have become worse lasting longer the last episode was Friday morning which lasted for 4 and a half hours. I was born with Pulmonary Atresia and operated on as a kid and do know of the fact that after some corrective surgery that scar tissue was left behind in my heart. I am not a very heavy drinker probably one or 2 drinks or fortnight up to a few months and up to possibly up 2 cups of coffee a day some days I go without and a non-smoker. These episodes haven't triggered when I have those but usually trigger when I'm under alot of stress and not sleeping well or have a flu/cold. The last 2 attacks the adenosine hasn't worked and on the first occasion they used Electrical cardioversion on my heart and on this time round I was given magnesium  sulfate and amiodrone and then my heat rate slowly dropped and after some water it self reverted. I'm not sure of whether this is worth having an ablation and I'm still yet to talk to my cardiologist about it but it's looking likely this could be on the cards. What do you guys think? I used to have an active lifestyle before this happened and I feel the SVT is holding me back from being able to play sports.

[tom_h]

I'm glad to hear that it went fine for you, Paul.  Best wishes for an SVT-free life.

[Chizmo]

Just an update on my current situation. I know I haven't posted in a long time and I thank you all for your answers but I do have some good news re this topic. I had an ablation done on February 13 2015 and since then I am fine. No more attacks or anything. Things have been going so well I have recently started playing football and been attending training since last week. I was abit nervous about my first game on Saturday but was glad to get a decent half in my legs. I am also noticing after a run and sprint and doing laps of the football oval my heart races but as fast as it had started racing it comes back down to a normal rhythm after I finish my run. My resting heart rate is lower than what it used to be. It's now at 65bpm as before ablation it ranged from 75 to 90 bpm at rest. I am really happy with how the last year has gone and can confidently say that going ahead with the ablation was the best decision I have ever made and I feel like a new me.

[itdood]

When it comes to surgeries like this, you will know when it's time.  In my case and others I have spoken to, you will get to a point where you say to yourself enough is enough.  Hard to explain, but you will reach that point.

[tom_h]

I think with what you're going through right now, yes it's probably worth trying.  I don't know what your medical system is like in Australia, but here in the US, the electrophysiology procedure with ablation is running around $100,000 (US).  It' is very expensive for the amount of time you're in there; about 5 hours on the average.  I had 54 years of SVT from 6 until 60 when I had mine done. It gave me a life that I had never experienced before.  I was very athletic as a kid and young adult competing in several sports  I didn't let SVT hold me back, although if it occurred, I was done with whatever I was doing for the day.  My photo section shows some of the sports I was involved in.

Question: Do you know any of the techniques used to convert an episode?  Mine were very responsive to the Valsalva technique and I could always convert them on my own.

If you have consistent SVT events, perhaps one or two times per month, then cardiac ablation is a real possibility to correct it.  I wouldn't be too concerned about your past surgery.  Let your cardiologist make that call.  Good luck!