WPW Syndrome

[Char731]

Hi and thank you to those who answer this. I am a 28 year old female. About 1.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with WPW syndrome. I attempted to have the ablation proceedure done, but it had to be aborted. The reason is, is because the main eletrical signal never took over and was beating so slowly that a pacemaker would have been needed to continue. My husband decided to not be the one to OK the pacemaker, but to leave it up to me. The doctor then aborted the proceedure.
Since then my doctor continues to ask if I want to continue on with it and go agead and get the pacemaker or not. I have asked him if he were in my shoes, would he go ahead and do it. He never did answer me, but only said it was a hard decision to make. He had also mentioned that he had never seen anything like it before. How am I supposed to have any confidence in the proceedure if the doctor cannot answer that himself?
What I am wondering, is this as rare as he makes it seem to be? Is this a normal routine for patients (the signal not taking over and patients needing to turn to a pacemaker)? This is nerve racking and I have nobody to talk to about this.

[PikaPika88]

Check your Yahoo - Answers.  They added some more suggestions for you to raise when you see an EP or second opinion cardiologist.  Take care.

[Char731]

Thank you for your replys and comtinued replies. Yes, I did stop the medications before the surgery. I believe I started stopping the medications about 7 days prior and finally completely stopping all by 5 or 4 days prior. The term heart block was only recently used at my last visit, but he never mentioned a degree. How he said it, was, as he was describing my condition and pointing to a diagram, he was pointing to the main area and also the left vetricical area and was saying that as he was attempting to ablate the left ventricical (sp?) that the main area of the heart was blocked, but he did not know to what degree since he could not continue without needing the authorization of a pacemaker first. I remember right after the attempted proceedure, that my doctor said while slowing down the left signal that my main signal was less than 60 bpm, which would require a pacemaker to survive.
I hope this helps you help me. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thank you again for helping me understand this more and helping me make a more informed choice. I absolutely appreciate it.

[PikaPika88]

SSS is Sick Sinus Syndrome.  

Did you stop your heart medication a few days before the ablation?  Many of the heart medication can slow down the conduction.   Otherwise, did your Dr mention it was a heart block?  Heart block could be 1st degree, 2nd degree or 3rd degree (complete heart block).  I only know the terms by myself that all I have had before.  

Keep us posting.  Take care.

[Char731]

I do occasionally get palpatations. My doctor attempted to ablate, but had to stop because in the process, he discovered that my, what should be the main signal was not taking over. My doctor said it was like the main signal was non existant. I get the palpitations probably about once a week, but it is so quick that it is over before you realize it started. I am not sure what sss is.... :(

[PikaPika88]

Hi Char,

Has your EP ablated any yet?  Do you still get palpitation?  How often do you get?  Not surprise to me.  Wpw can have SSS as well, like me!  

[mabebesc]

HI,  I've been on the forum since July and haven't heard of your situation.  I would definitely get another opinion from an eletrophysiologist . I wish you all the best.
Betty

[Char731]

Yes, but I am hoping for more information as well.

[julesluvsdrew]

Hey there, I was just curious if you thought about being seen by another doctor?