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).    

[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

[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:)

[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

[Momto3]

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

Remember how frightened you were?  Worth it, right?

[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]

Welcome back "LovedOneSuffers",

We absolutely understand your choice to back away from arrhythmia "shop talk".  In can be all-consuming for sure...

I have taken anti-anxiety meds and although, they do not suppress the PVCs, they offer a calming effect.  It is more of a band-aid than a treatment, so I am/was careful not to rely too much on them.  I take 1/2 of a .25mg tablet of Xanax as needed and find it helpful. I no longer have frequent PVCs, but there are times, like when I travel by air, when they may kick up a bit. For those times, I can take the Xanax.  In my case, the medication does not cause PVCs.

It is not unusual for the PVCs to take months to settle down. I was told I could take a beta blocker when I needed/wanted post-ablation.  Your husband's heart has been irritated by the poking and prodding, and it will take some time for it to heal.  

My ablations were also for frequent PVCs, NSVT.  Did his doctor mention the possibility of additional procedures? I was multi-focal and I knew it might take more than one procedure.  I ended up with 2 ablations and it has made a world of difference.  Yep, it's bigeminy (you got it right...) and I can recall being in bigeminy for 6 hours on Christmas Eve (my 2nd procedure was 11/7) and shortly after that they settled down for good. (The first ablation was 8/1)

Is he still having very frequent PVCs?  Has he worn a monitor to try and capture the actual frequency?  

Yes, I had PVCs for a couple of months post ablation.  After the first one, I had daily (frequent) PVCs.  After the second, it lasted a couple months.  "Sueinns" (posted above) had PVCs for about 6 months.  Try not to get discouraged....You might want to check with the doc about a monitor so you can quantify the activity.

Connie  

Searching for answers....of course the EP reminds him he has a choice...if he can't live with palps we can medicate (which he's doing now but still having them, so we'd up the dosage back to what he was at BEFORE the ablation), do nothing and he deals with how annoying and disruptive they are, or try the ablation again.

Oh, and they're worse in the heat and while he's walking and talking at the same time...any ideas?

Thanks a million