PVC's after ablation

[LovedOneSuffers]

My husband recently went through a cardiac catheter ablation...his 2nd attempt finally produced arrhythmia's in the lab, and the dr was able to ablate 2 locations.  Within 2 hours after the completion of his procedure, the PVC's began...and became very frequent.  Sometimes as close together as every other beat.  This has continued and remained at this frequency and we are now about 31 hours post ablation.  His dr prescribed metoprolol XL, which did nothing to help the situation today, so has changed to Rythmol.  My husband has the misfortune of being able to feel every flutter, PVC, pause,  everything--which we've been told is rare, most people who experience them don't even know they're happening--makes me wonder if many patients have this post-ablation and just do not know it.  I've read that some people after ablations do experience palpitations or PVC's or abnormal rhythms that eventually decrease over a few weeks, that sometimes meds are needed then tapered off and all is well....but I've also read that sometimes these things persist despite a "successful" ablation procedure.  At this point, we're looking for how common is it to experience this?
What time frame can the PVC's persist?  How often is medication needed temporarily then taper?  Can they be occurring because of needing to heal after the ablation?  Are they only occurring because there is an un-ablated area causing disturbance?  Does anyone know a good resource to locate more info on the subject?  (Many places I've searched only comment on the wound site and chest discomfort post-op, not the rhythm after affects).    

[Katya73]

I have had an ablation for AVNRT in October last year and recently I have more pvc's at some times, like walking to my work in the morning. The past three months were so good, nearly palpfree. So I wonder how it comes that I do get them (again). Went to the cardiologist who performed the ablation for my AVNRT and have to wear a 7 day monitor next week. Feel quite scared on one hand as it can feel 'chaotic' when you get multiple pvc's in a row. But he seems not to worry and says it is not dangerous. But then I start to think 'how do you know that?' but I guess they saw that during my EP-test. Anyway when I get a lot of them next week I might get a second ablation. I am so glad I have found this thread... Sometimes I think I might need some more time to heal. I read of six months to one year. Considering the force of the pvc's: I feel them more forceful after ablation, like most of you.

[Fitty4117]

I also feel every PVC. I have had tons since my ablation for AVNRT in December of 2011. I have had an increase lately and I wore a monitor last month. It recorded 9,728 in a 24 hour period. They are really annoying, but I tell myself they are benign. The doctor told me they are still harmless. I can take the Beta Blockers, have another ablation, or learn to live with it. I have gotten used to them mostly and would rather not take medication or have another ablation. I had constant anxiety at first, but now I have a normal life again. On the upside, I have not had any SVT and I dont miss the 240 BPM for 45 minutes at all.

[PSL110]

Is it possible you can give a update on how you're doing now?

[shanster74]

Hi,
I had my 2nd ablation on 2/19 of this year. The first was done 13 years ago for AVN and this one was  'bypass tract" on the left side of my heart. The procedure lasted 5 hours, lots of poking and prodding, and they actually had to poke a hole in the membrane of my heart to get to the area they needed to ablate. The procedure was a success however, since the ablation I have had an increase in PVC's. All of a sudden, one day last week and now going on 3 days I am having them constantly. Like one every 1-3 minutes and it's driving me NUTS! I called the Dr.s office and they called in a beta blocker. I took my second dose just now. I also decided to take a magnesium supplement as I read that could help. Now I'm obsessing over it and as I read all of these posts I see a definite relationship to ablations and increased PVC's. What is aggravating me is I asked the Dr's. office if this could be something caused by the ablation. "no,we have never heard that." So why do I do a simple Google search and find tons of people with the same experience!? And I had this done at a world-renowned hospital!!!!
I'm hoping they settle down soon. I exercise a lot and have anxiety issues so I'm wondering if the combo. just hit at the right time. And of course I'm worried about them so that's not helping. Great to know I"m not alone. Oh - I'm a 39 year old, very healthy and active woman - so no underlying health issues or disease.
Thank you for being here!

[MBParrythmia]

I had catheter ablation in 2009 for my arrythmia. After my surgery I also had an increase of PVCs while recovering in the hospital. My electrophysiologist put me on Rythmol to help my heart recover.  I was only on it for a few weeks before the arrythmia seemed to go away.  I went without symptoms for about 4 years.  Now I am dealing with symptoms all over again.  I am 28 years old now and was told by a new cardiologist (I moved, which is unfortunate because in PA my care was wonderful) who said we needed to start with beta blockers first.  I am disappointed because i have already tried every medication to deal with the symptoms related to my arrythmia. I am a rarity as well because I also feel the extra beats. It makes me feel like I am jumping out of my skin and I do not know what to do with myself.  I also get chest pain and some pitting edema from it. I am having extra beats as much as every other (bigemity) and runs (every beat).  My electrophysiologist said there are various ways to deal with these arrythmias and I will be starting down that track.  These arrythmias are complicated and I know how it is when a doctors says people live with it every day. I dont know how... they must not feel them because it is incredible difficult to ignore mine.

I dont know if that helped but it is my experience with arrythmia.

[wmac]

I have three epstudies with hopes of an ablation for nsvt. All three times they could not induce me so of course I didnt get fixed. Now however my symptoms are worse more frequent lasting longer everyday. I am also suffering from bad ventricular bigmeny as well. Im wearing another monitor now getting some good recordings hoping that they will try a fourth eps and this time being able to be ablated.
How often are you having pvcs?

[emt2rescue]

Ihave had 3 ablation procedures over the past 10 yrs. I often ingest caffeine and I often go months without trying to stimulate a test on myslef if the PVCs are caffeine enduce...whch they are not, so I continue to drink caffeine. I work out 5 times a week as well. I have notice about 6 months after each procedure the PVCs return. I now figure that this is just going to a regular accurance and not sure if I should have another procedure done.