Ablation for chronic PVCs. Worth the risk?

[mzak69]

I've been dealing with the darn PVCs on a daily basis for 8 months now. It seems like they are becoming more frequent. I'm taking potassium and angstrom mg for 2-3 weeks with no improvement. Every time I have an active or stressful day I am punished at night with a string of PVCs that can last for hours. They appear to be adrenaline related. It has made my life miserable.

My EP gave me a special script for an EKG for when I got a bad episode, so last night I went to the ER and they hooked me up. They saw PVCs coming every few seconds, and the technician said they all looked identical, so it appears that they are unifocal.

I'm not sure what to do here. I don't have PVCs ALL day, but I do get them EVERY day. Some days are manageable, other days are very frustating. I am living right now for the moments when I am PVC free. Not a good way to live your life.

So my question to all you fellow sufferers is, is the ablation worth the possible risks? And what are they?

Thanks for your responses.    

[Debbie0105]

Can you tell me about the procedure and recovery?  I too have about 10K PVCs daily and have not a quality life right now.   am thinking about having the ablation but have heard stories that it didn't work or got worse.
So glad to hear about yours. Where did you have it done at?

[klm5]

I've been on Flecainide since Feb after lopressor didn't work.  It was doing the trick up until a few weeks ago and now I have symptomatic PVCs again with chest pain/SOB during work outs. I've tried an increased dose of the Flecainide only to find that I could not tolerate the SEs.  I plan to get an ablation in the hope of not having to take daily meds and the desire to work out like normal 35 year olds do.  I would at least try an antiarrhythmic if you fear invasive procedures.    

[angkev]

I would recommend having an ablation. Had mine last August. Befor ablation, 30,000 pvcs per day!! Now, maybe 10-20. Doctor said I am very lucky to not have permanent heart damage. Insurance is great in paying the majority of the expenses. Best of luck.

[havenasp]

I would suggest having it done.  If you can reproduce the problem, timing and whatnot.  The EP specialist should be able to do this as well in an EP study.  The success rate, I've been told is either 100% or 0%, no inbetween stuff.  It either works or it doesn't.  After the 1st one, if it comes back, your chances are greater that they can pinpoint it and get it.

I wish my problem was like yours, in that you can nail it down to being active/adrenalin etc...  

My Ep specialist just told me to quit caffeine, cigs, and lose the stress.  (we all know that's easier said than done.)  did the holter monitor, 30 day event monitor, 1 cardiolite stress test, 1 w/o cardiolite, had an angiogram done... I finally took his advice and cut back on stress/cigs/caffeine but still have the PVCs.  all i can do is laugh at their suggestions sometimes.  (by the way all previous tests were negative for anything, minus last stress test that showed PVCs)  Am now getting ready for my 2nd 30 day event monitor.
He is really reluctant to do ablation or even an EP study.  My PVC's do not happen as frequently as most people IE 50k a day or even 25k a day.  I would put them at about 4 to 5k a day on days that I'm active and out walking around in stores etc...

But like i've told him it's not that frequency that bothers me, it's the profound symptoms that come with them, to the point of the feeling of passing out.  Not sure what else to do here, as there's a definite electrical signal issue, and they don't want to do anything about it.  Another problem is the closest 2nd opinion dr is 150 miles away.  otherwise it's a close co-worker of his that is at the same hospital...

[donna4140]

Im also on 25 mg of atenolol also,and it seems to work well for me too.Mzak69- maybe you could try atenolol and see if it works for you as well.Atenolol does make you tired ,but if your on a low dose  it shouldnt be a problem.

[debbier]

Hi,

I have not been on the board for quite some time.  I had an ablation Jan 2010.  I had 24/7 pvc's.  I seen an EP he recommended an EP study.  I also had one episode of A-fib and occasional runs of svt.  I was more concerned with the PVC's than anything else.  I tried metatoprol it did not work for me either.   The pvc's could not be ablated since they were orginating too close to my artery.  I was ablated for the afib and svt.  The pvcs lighted up he assumes from the disturbance caused by the ablation.  I was also placed on 25mg of Atenolol.  The Atenolol was a miracle.  Two days later my pvcs were completely gone.  I am now down to 12.5 mg of Atenolol and get the occasional pvc's.   Pvc's unforantely can move locations and once you get them you always have them.  I have days were I get my share but I know not to get crazy anymore and it passes.    Good Luck to you!!!