Ablation

Hi I've had my PM since November 2013. The primary reasons were Bradycardia and AV block. I'm paced about 90% of the time in both chambers. I've had Atrial Tachycardia frequently during the past few months and now am scheduled for an ablation next week. The doctor put me on Cardizem for a month but, as he predicted, I don't want to live on it. It does not completely control the Tachycardia and makes me very sluggish. Does anyone have experience with the Ablation procedure?

Thanks

5 Comments

Ablation

by gaman - 2015-04-25 02:04:29

I had an atrial ablation for atrial flutter in January of this year.......no problems or pain. Note that ablations are very effective for curing atrial flutter; so far so good. I went in hospital in morning and left late afternoon. Just have a driver for the rest of day and take it easy for a few days (ie: this is to make sure the plug where they entered the vein is fully healed).

Ablations Were Prior to PM Installation

by PJinSC - 2015-04-25 02:04:49

I have a CRT-P installed with three leads, one to each ventricle and one to the atria, but it does nothing because after two ablations to fix a-fib (Dr. #1, an EP )and then a-flutter (Dr. #2, also an EP), then an AV node ablation by Dr. #2 to separate the sinus node from communicating to the ventricles and activation of the PM so I am 100% PM dependent. The first ablation took 8 hours and I had bleeding complications from my right groin afterwards. I am convinced they overdosed me on blood thinners. The second ablation took 4 hours, and I had no follow up complications other than they prepped m that night for a pacemaker because my heart rate was really slow to come back up. As it turned out, I over shot and ended up getting two cardioversions for atrial tachycardia before I said to put the PM in and be done with it. They installed the PM, let me heal for 30 days then did the AV node ablation (2 hours) and activated the PM. The rest is history.

Good Luck and Good Life, PJ.

Great Results

by IAN MC - 2015-04-25 07:04:06

Had an ablation 4 years ago for atrial flutter. Procedure took less than an hour and I have had normal sinus rhythm ever since. Came off anti- arrythmic drugs and blood thinners. .

It is a no-brainer for atrial flutter but results can vary for atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.

Best of luck

Ian

Ablations

by Jackw - 2015-04-25 07:04:28

I had an ablation for aflutter in October. it is an easy procedure. I had it one afternoon, stayed overnight in the hospital because you have to remain flat for a while. Got up the next day and walked out to meet my wife who drove me home. I took it easy for two days and then went back to work. Limited my exercise to a moderate level for a week and the ramped up to my usual workout and jogging.
I was sedated but I think it took about 2 hours to thread in two catheters through both groins and find the offending spot to zap. Your AT ablation my take more time to find the problem area or areas to zap but it is not a difficult recovery in any case. A friend had a more complicated ablation for afib which took 3 or 4 hours but no problem with recovery. As usual the outcomes are better if you are having it done by a very experienced group. Mine was done by a doc who is part of a group of 6-8 ep's who have a very experienced team of procedure nurses and techs.

I am sure you will do well.

If I didn't have bad luck.....

by PJinSC - 2015-04-27 02:04:47

TJ, I got your private message. Thanks.
Sorry if I came across negative/bitter above. I was told that 15% do not get help from ablations. Then I was told that 10% of that group get no help from a second ablation. Well, at least I am in the top 10 percentile of something. Story of my life. Hope yours turns out better. Interesting that you are getting an ablation so long after PM insertion. I always figured that the PM was the result of failed ablations. Learn something new every day.

BTW, I was able to get off all the rate control and beta blocker meds. Now only on a moderate ACE-inhibitor (Lisinopril) for blood pressure, and an anti-coagulant (Xarelto).

Good Luck and Good Life, PJ

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