Going to have Radiofrequency Ablation done oct. 25 :( - Heart Disorders Message Board

eNathan · 10-07-2006, 06:45 PM

Hello~

As some of you's may know from my prior posts up to a year ago, I have SVT and, due to the often occurance thereof, my doctor has recomended Radiofrequency Ablation.

Ever since the time when I knew of the existance of this procedure, I was wanting to have it done. I mean, no more SVT

However I was reading of some of the complications that may result from the rpocedure, including the posibilty of the doctor accidently burning "all of my pathways", and hence I would need a pacemaker; the posibilty of death (extreamly rare, I know); and experiencing "skipped heart beats" after the procedure -- the duration of which is said to last from weeks to months, but is suppsidly "normal".

After research, comming here, and seeing a doctor, I don't really mind having SVT anymore -- atleast, not as much as I was. Having this procedure would be a relief, but the risk -- however rare they are -- are still present, and tend to get me thinking of the "WHAT IF?"s.

Any input from people who have had this procedure in the past would be greatly appreciated. Or people who know alot about it.

Thank you xD

mnmnmnmn · 10-07-2006, 09:36 PM

enathan, i had a ablation for SVT in august done. I was awake for some of procedure, by choice. I knew the risks going in but felt extremely confident with my physician. Mine was quite risky in that the area that they wanted to ablate was extremely close to my SA node, which is where every beat orginates from. However, I did very well through procedure, even being awake. I will say that it took me a good week to recover from it just purely because my cath sites were very sore. However I felt that due to the limitations that I had it was extremely worth it. I think that while the risks are very serious they are pretty rare. But I made it through with no problems other than the recurrent sinus tach because they were unable to ablate due to my phrenic nerve, but they were able to get rid of the SVT. Is there something specific you want to know about the procedure??

eNathan · 10-08-2006, 11:41 PM

I'm glad to hear that you're procedure went well, mmmn

I guess having faith in you're doctor is a large factor; considering that they went to school for probally eight years, it's safe to say that they know what they are doing.

okay, a few quick questionairs =)

I was reading this thread and it freaked me out [url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=379037[/url] Are these people referancing to the same procedure (radiofrequency ablation)?

My EPO (electrophysiologist, w/e) told me that he can't burn the infirior pathway when the heart is actaully beating. Does the doctor stop the heart temporarly (he said "I can slow it down, speed it up, etc)? What if the heart beats during the actaul burning?

From what my doc told me, theres a 60% change that nothing can go wrong regaurdless; Outside of that, theres a 0.2% change that I will need a pacemaker. Isnt that an electronic device to pump you're heart?

Sorry for my unformal writing here - I'm a bit tired

But thanks agian.

mnmnmnmn · 10-09-2006, 08:08 PM

eNathan, a couple answers to you questions. First yes they are talking about the same procedure you would have. However my gut instinct from reading what they wrote AND taking into account the talks that my physician had with me, my guess is many of their problems arose from having either a new arrhythmia or it is the hearts response to what the ablation did, good and bad. My doctor had some heavy conversations with me about the risk of new arrhythmias developing or that the heart just "wont be happy" with the slower heart rate (ie that it was sped up for a reason like to compensate for something else). So yes there is the possiblity that you will have different arrhythmias stemming from having your SVT fixed, which in turn may create more problems. However that is a risk that unfortunately you will have to take. Its not a definate that it will happen so if all goes well then certainly it would be well worth it right?? Second answer for ya is this, there is a medication out there, several actually, that slow your heart rate down, can even stop your heart for a brief time. So what i believe your physician is referring to is, if you heart is in the SVT, or starts into the SVT, they have to have it slow down in order to burn appropriately. And what they do is sometimes give another medication to slow the heart way down, like waaaaaay down, so that they can more accurately burn this stubborn area. It is ok if the heart beats a few times during it, they will know when the medication wears off because the heart slowly starts back up. And the burning is simply the touch of a button, so as quickly as they start it, they can stop it. So if something goes wrong, or the heart beats or something, they can stop the burning right away. Finally a pacemaker is a little box that is inserted under the skin that has leads that attach to the heart that initiates the beats. It purely sends an electrical impulse to the heart muscle that triggers it to beat, the heart still beats on its own, just needs this impulse to start the cascade of events. Does that help?? I check this site quite frequently so reply back, i will watch for ya!!

eNathan · 10-27-2006, 12:24 AM

Hello again, mmmm.

I really hate to bring back a dead thread heh.

I read your reply, I just forgot to reply

I do that often lol.

Anyway, I had the ablation done already. Everything went fine

They gave me some drugs becaues they said I seemed nervous. A few seconds later, I saw the walls spinning. A few seconds later, the procedure was completed, when, in fact, two hours passed. The doc said he found, and burned, the pathway within 45 minutes, but spent alot of extra time making sure there were no extra pathways.

So all is good and I love the fact that I go do every-day activities without constatly worrying about SVT. I have noticed an slightly irregular heartbeat at times, but they say that it goes away.

So, I just thought Id let you know how it went

Cya