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).    

[770shelia]

Sorry to hear that, I had an ablation a couple weeks ago and I feel better than I have in years. I feel an occasional PVC but my doc said that is normal.

[Momto3]

HOORAY!!  I'm so glad you continue to feel well!!  Isn't life grand?  

Remember how frightened you were?  Worth it, right?

[Christine333]

I have had occasional SVT all my life.  I am 47 YO WF with asthma and chronic allergies.  The asthma will kick in an SVT, and sometimes into A-Fib.  I just spent 12 hours in A-fib at the hospital.  My blood clotting time was normal, but they put me on a thinner as a precaution.  They tried a calcium blocker, which made me crash 90/50 (not a pleasant experience); they tried beta blockers after that, to no avail.  I reset on my own.  I have had a couple bouts of A-fib before, but thought it was just another part of SVT, until I was told otherwise this time.  Am also in a severe allergic state at this point.  My skin presented to allergist dehydrated and have been put on a regimen of medications and creams, baths, etc.  Asthma is still triggering some SVT, but I can usually vagal them away.  Longest SVT has been 10 minutes.  Longest A-fib was the recent 12 hour bout.  Echo showed a healthy heart, valves, etc.  I have pitting edema, but no known hepatic cause.  My liver, kidney and other functions are actually in great shape too.  The SVT and A-fib are genetic, as are the allergies.  Prior to presenting to hospital, my primary care put me on a water pill, and I think that threw my body into its allergic state it is in now.  The asthma is triggering the SVT's; and the SVT's can trigger the A-fib.  My blood pressure goes up with asthma - 138/84 to 140/88, but normally it is 110/74 or thereabouts.  Is there an absolute answer for me, except to get my asthma under control.  I am scheduled to take allergy testing in less than 2 weeks now.  I do intend to take shots if that is what they say I need.  I will do anything to avoid ablation or cardioversion if I can, as I have read enough of the good and bad on these subjects.  Any thoughts?

Thank you, Christine

[Brooke_38]

Your history seems sounds similar to mine. Think of SVT like an umbrella. Afib is a form of SVT as is AVNRT,AVRNT, WPW, Sinus Tach etc...these are all forms of SVT. They all occur in the upper 2 chambers, above the ventricles.

Asthma can trigger you to go into SVT as can some of the medications used to treat it. DId your Dr put you on any other medication besides the blood thinner for rhythm or rate control?

I noticed that you separate SVT from Afib. If you have had both, do you know what for of SVT you have? Have you ever had an EPS (electrophysiology study)

I have had both cardioversion and ablation procedures. Medications can be used to treat symptoms but are no guarantee to prevent recurrance. Along with taking medication come the many possible side effects as well. It is that old double edged sword. The only way to be assured of increasing your chances that you don't have anymore SVT would require an EPS with possible ablation (if they are able to pinpoint the focal area sending the crazy signal)

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask:)

[riley1628]

Hi! I am in a dilemma and would appreciate your advice. I have had a history of cardiomyopathy and frequent PVC's (20-30,000). I have tried all the available meds incuding a new one, Multaq, this past year. I haven't been feeling great and figured it wasn't working, today I had an echo and I am in bigeminy (sp?). My regular cardiologist and I decided it is time to have an ablation. He contacted a Dr. at Mayo, but I found out they are not in my network. I was wondering if you would tell me the name of the Dr. that did your ablation. I  have multi-foca lPVC's and the other Drs. in my city aren't expereinced in that area. Thank you very much for any help you can provide. Also, I believe you said you had two ablations, how far apart were they? Thanks again! Mary

[cindy707]

Hi i read your post....i had my ablation 3 years ago for a number of things...one was a fib the other was SVT....and yep i went thru what your husband did...i am in my mid 50's now and it was a little rough going for the first 6 weeks because my doc said that the heart takes time to revert back and retrain itself because it has been used to for so long going in the bad direction and now it has to re route up over and around until it gets it right.  You have to remember as i always say that it has been poked, prodded and penetrated and is now swollen and it definately will take some time.  Hopefully your loved on isn't in the fail group.....if your heart doc said he was in the 70% or better range relax a little and try to help him by diverting him so that he doesn't let this take over and only concentrate on the bad.  I too was put on a beta blocker for the first 2 months and then was eased off until my doc told me i didn't need them anymore but i chose to stay w. a very low dose of Antenolol just as a safety net and it has worked for me.  The only thing i can say is patience, patience, patience...the docs say that it takes up to 6 months for everything to go back to normal but that they know with in the first 3 months if it is a success or not.  Don't be down hearted because he;s on the meds...most of us were for a while anyway and when i personally hit the 4 month mark all of the PVC's and tach stopped as well as the a fib and i have only had one incident since that i am pretty sure i caused myself....help him...don't let him sit and wait for a bomb to go off which may never will.....go for rides in the car, visit friends, throw a BBQ, do anything but anything that will give him the opportunity to feel every little thing....stay away from quiet places like movies,  if walking is bothering him avoid it.....divert him if you can and keep reassuring him that its too soon to tell...good luck