Recovering from ablation for atrial tachycardias

I had an ablation for atrial tachyicardias last week, including aflutter. My arrhythmias had emerged since about October, including ventricular arrhythmias that were being 'paced out' by the ICD. Meds had little effect.  Over 110 areas ablated over 7 hours, and about 24 hours in the hospital. I am feeling stronger over the last couple of days.  I had a cardiac arrest/4 shocks from my ICD including asystole in mid December, and unfortunately, no ventricular arrhythmias emerged, so it is still unknown why I had another SCA and my EP said I will most likely have another one. Recuperation is 8 weeks of no activity that will increase my heart rate including no lifitng or straining.  My EP may change my antiarrhythmic when I see him in 4 weeks and I hope he will reduce my med regiment.  He is monitoring my ICD through Carelink every few days.  I feel my heart trying to speed up, but seems to cease right away  I've been having a lot of pvcs, which I often get.  Unknown why my heart produces so many new electrical pathways and the SCAs.  This is probably my 15th ablation over 22 years.  Only 1 area had reconnected from a past ablation.  I have non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and diastolic dysfunction for unknown reasons.  I need to be patient, as he says it takes 3  months for the heart to heal and I could have many different arrhythmias emerging during the healing process.

3 Comments

You are so brave

by Gemita - 2020-02-26 12:54:05

Dear Islandgirl,

I do hope for the very best result this time and that your latest ablation gives you a high degree of success against your many arrhythmias. I cannot imagine going through what you have had to endure.  Well done and you so deserve to be well.

Yes be patient and allow yourself and your heart time to heal gently. And don't be discouraged if there are a few hiccups along the way.  I gather our hearts can do strange things during the healing process and that it can sometimes take a little longer than 3-6 months healing but still be completely successful afterwards. We are all individual.

I find magnesium taurate can help with PVCs and also if I keep my heart rate well up it can help pace me out of my arrhythmias. I also believe good hydration is important.   Hopefully you can soon get off lots of your meds and enjoy a better quality of life.  Good luck 

ablation recovery

by islandgirl - 2020-02-26 18:32:37

Gemita, thanks for the reply.  I take slow mag 2x/day.  I had no choice but to go through the ablation.  I was physically disabled with the arrhythmias, even with the med regiment.  My meds will hopefully be reduced, I am maxed out on sotalol and cardizem.

Holy crap!

by AgentX86 - 2020-02-26 23:09:42

You certainly hold the ablation record!  The most I'd heart of before this was eight.  I've had three (none successful, or I wouldn't be here), after a full Cox Maze left me with permanent atypical flutter. I've also had asystoles but none more than eight seconds, so the pacemaker (antiarrhythmics caused damage to my SI node).

Yes, it takes at least three months for the heart to heal enough to know if an ablation is successful. This is known as the "blanking period" and all sorts of arrhythmias can happen during this period.  Though they're very incmfortable, PVCs and PACs are nothing to be concerned with. During his period AF or AFL are also very common.  After three months, these should settle down.

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