Ablation for svt's

[kspea1809]

I have SVT's...have for years and understand those of you who say it's like being in prisoned by them.  Being afraid to plan anything because of the fear of having an "attack".  I recently had a ILR surgery, and my EP wants to do the ablation.  I have read many posts and so envy those of you who were so brave to do it,  I want to...and may...but am so scared.  I have not seen anyone saying how it felt, what was felt during the actual surgery.  I asked for Propofol so I'd know nothing, but is that overkill?  My anxiety level is OUT there, so I would have to somehow be relaxed.  So, how bad is the surgery itself?  I want to make up my mind and move on...one way or the other.  

[tom_h]

I wish you the best next week, and hope it works out for you.

[century21LA]

i was on a business trip in Fort Worth. Went to eat in restaurant and for the first time very fully passed out on the floor.  I happened to be one mile from a hospital, The plaza in Fort Worth heart center.  I was admitted with SVT....200 beats.  I have been so tired of the anxiety, the worry the strain of SVT and decided to do the ablation that very week.  I found the perfect Dr. that specialied in electricity of the heart.  Dr. Greenberg.  If you are trying to make a decision about ablation....Just go for it. It was not painful, I have not had a svt attack since and feel like a new person.   I have avoided it all of these years and was at the right place and the right time.  I am 60 years old.  Good Luck.

[Darlingorla]

I had an ablation done just over a year ago for AVNRT which is quite a common benign tachycardia.  It has worked for me and I am now SVT free - can't believe I have got my life back after living with this condition for 30 years!

I don't know what I would have done without the help of people on this forum;  they helped me in the weeks leading up to the procedure, Linda TX and a few others who may be lurking in the background.  I check in occasionally to see if there is someone else I can help to get thru this.

Anyhow, you can read my account of the ablation procedure under "darlingorla" which I posted around June 20, 2010.  I was totally awake for the procedure because my EP thought this would bring about a better outcome.  It obviously did - you don't want your heart to be too sedated.  The procedure was not half as scarey as what was going on in my head at the time.  Easier than some dental procedures.  Best of luck.  

[Jannie411]

P.S.  I didn't have any issues with shaking from the adrenaline.

[Jannie411]

Hi.....my ablation experience was excellent.   I was a bit nervous going in, but I had an excellent EP and nursing staff at the hospital.  I should mention here that I had AVNRT-type SVT, which is one of the easiest types to ablate.  Went in for the procedure in the early AM, was out by mid-afternoon, no overnight stay was required.  Walked into the house and up the stairs with no assistance.  Afterwards, other than some minor discomfort from the catheter sites, I was back on my feet and up and around doing most of my normal activities.  I felt "normal" almost immediately after the procedure.  Had a few very minor episodes, which faded into nothing within seconds.  I'm going into my 5th month SVT-free now.  For the first time in many years, I am able to do everything I want without fear of SVT.  Am off the beta blockers for the first time in 10 years too.  You're more than welcome to read my journals and contact me with any questions.  You'll get plenty of support from this group too - they're all great - I learned more here than all the years of dealing with doctors.  Best of luck to you!

[merileegal]

They also gave me adrenaline, I didn't feel at all shaky. They keep everything pretty controlled so they don't end up with any new problems. Don't worry.

[tom_h]

Yes, they give you adrenaline, and other drugs as well as pace your heart at different speeds during the procedure.  I don't recall Jannie411 saying anything about her response to the adrenaline but see her journal for details.

When I woke up in the recovery room, and for a few hours later, inwas pretty amped up from the adrenaline, and my heart rate was elevated well over 120 bpm.  It came down by the next day.  You feel achiness in your chest for a couple of weeks afterwards, but I was back to work on Tuesday after having it done the previous Thursday.

[merileegal]

Before my ablation 2 months ago, I was also very worried. After finding this site reading about other people's experiences, and getting encouragement from others, it helped me go forward with so much less fear. For me, the more I knew the less I worried.

[kspea1809]

Thanks Tom and all who responded.  I have been researching this procedure and found that sometimes the drugs they give you (like Propofol) can prevent the attacks from being brought on during the procedure.  In some cases, they try to give as little as possible in order to make sure they can bring on the attack and zap it.  I had a implanted loop recorder procedure in April of this year with only a little pain killler, but I don't think I want to be awake for this procedure.  I've read where some are given adrenoline and shake uncontrollably on the table...I don't want to feel that. I'm not sure how many ablations my EP has done.  He's the only one in this area, and the closest other than him would be Pittsburgh, PA.  I will definately look at the journals you suggested, and watch for Donna4140's post.  My friends say I over do it with information, that I should just go do it and stop researching.  Sometimes the more you know the more you're worried.  

[tom_h]

........I forgot ... Look for Donna4140 here in the next few days.  She had her EP study and cryo-ablation done today at Brigam and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.  

[tom_h]

First look up forum member Jannie411, and read her journals.  She documented the entire  process as she was awake for the procedure.  You can check mine too, but there's a large gap as I was OUT! for the entire time.  It's surgery in the broadest term.  The entry site is just a puncture and no sutures are involved.  My EP uses general anesthesia if at all possible and I was a good candidate.  My AVRT was very easy to initiate, and started up merely by the catheter entering the left atrium.

Fear and anxiety are normal feelings when confronted with the prospect of the procedure.  But I can tell you that after 54 years, I've got my life back. At 60, I'm running, skating, and doing all kinds of strenuous activities without fear of SVT.  

We're hereball the time if you have any more questions.  Think about it......

[claytex]

I had an ablation for afib in July of 2010.  I didnt feel anything during the proceedure.. I was out of it.. There is not really much to the recovery.  You would need to be on blood thinner for about 3 months following the proceedure.  I also had to take some blood thinner shots the first week following the  proceedure.  My heart felt  a little different after the proceedure.. but there was no pain at all.  My leg was a little sore and pretty bruised for a week or so... was bruised some where the cathiter went in.. there was really not much to it.. spent one nite in the hospital and went home the next day.. took it a little easy for 3-4 days and thats it.  My afib was corrected .. I have had no problems since.  My only advise would be to be sure you have the proceedure done at a hospital that specializes in them and does lots of them... and I would also want an experienced doctor who has done lots of ablations to do it.  I saw some figures the other day that showed the success rate of experienced doctors doing ablations vs inexperienced doctors or EPs... The doctors who had done over 1000 ablations had a much higher success rate.. hope this helps Claytex

[merileegal]

I had an ablation a few months ago for AVNRT which is a type of SVT. I haven't had an attack since....such a relief. Many of us have written about our experience in our journals. Follow this link to my journal: http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/295139/SVT-ablation-experience?personal_page_id=2123856

There are also some other very good journals by Jannie and Tom so as you're wandering around in this site, look for their names and that will guide you to their journals.

I was so scared also, but it was sooo worth it. Going to the dentist was a lot more painful than getting this ablation done. There was very little pain. I was sedated for mine so I remember parts. I thought the whole things was quite fascination.

They really know what they are doing, and there is a whole team of people there to help. Trust your ep. Having the ablation done has allowed me so much freedom from constantly worrying about when another attack might show its ugly head.
Good luck with your decision.