Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Terrified of Upcoming Cardiac Ablation

I am going in for a cardiac ablation in 2 weeks and was feeling only slightly nervous until I read some comments about how the burning hurts and is very intense. I know I will be only mildly sedated and I have an overactive vagal response so am worried about that.  It probably doesn't help that I also have an anxiety disorder : ( I know I can't live with these continuous runs of pvcs anymore as it is limiting my life drastically. If anyone could shed any light on this, I would greatly appreciate the support.
30 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
995271 tn?1463924259
Sorry to hear that.  My PVCs are also affected by colds and being sick too!  This is reported by many PVC sufferers.  The thought is that PVC arise from an inflammatory process (ie Immune process), so this is implicated in some sort of immune system activity.

From what I've heard and seen, the final outcome of most ablation procedures can't be judged until about 6 months out.  That's when you'd sit back, do the final assessment, and decide on next steps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
After a week of having only 2-3 pvcs daily, things changed last night. The pvcs have returned and I am now having 10 a minute. Could this just be a set back in the healing process?  It has only been 10 days since surgery. I do feel like I might be getting sick as well so maybe that's putting more stress on the heart. I'm so scared that they have returned!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
995271 tn?1463924259
You made it!   You conquered it!  I know how hard it is.  I'm happy for you.  It's now going to take patience and persistence.   It takes time to see the full results and it does sometimes need a touch up.  
Helpful - 0
1807132 tn?1318743597
I am sorry to hear that it didn't go as smoothly as hoped.   Unfortunately pvcs can be a bit trickier to treat.  I think sometimes if the internal ablation fails they can sometimes ablate the outside of the heart with better success.  But hopefully your scars just need a bit of time to form before the ablation is ruled unsuccessful.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Give yourself and your heart as much rest as you can.  Hang in there and feel better soon.
Helpful - 0
1423357 tn?1511085442
Very happy for you!  Yes, the first few weeks will be interesting with the procedure fresh on your heart.  Give it some time, rest, and if you have to go back in for another, you'll know what to expect.  Rest up!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, it's over. In the procedure room, the EP said it was very successful. Then in post op, the pvcs returned with a vengeance. He isn't sure if it is due to swelling and irritation of the heart or of the procedure was unsuccessful. He said I may need a second ablation. I now have chest discomfort but not much pain in the groin which is good. The sedation was minimal and they couldn't increase it because they were worried the pvcs would go away.  All in all, I am pleased so far with recovery but the procedure was much harder than I expected : (

Anyways- there's my update-at 3 am because I can't sleep-ugh.

Thanks again for all of the well wishes!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you everyone!  Your prayers and well wishes mean the world to me!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good luck tomorrow. Had my ablation last Tuesday. They kept me on Versed *Check spelling* . I felt a warm rush in my back 3 times. It never hurt. Just a warm rush. They talk to you a lot. They ask how you're feeling. Be honest because they can make things easier. I was in there a little over 4 hours. I remember some of it not all. And so far 1 week later I have maybe 2 PVC's a day as compared to hundreds and some days thousands. I just hope it sticks. My life in the last week has changed already. But staying aware things could go backward. I'll pray for you and wish you the best. Let us know how it goes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thinking of you, hope all goes well tomorrow.  Sending prayers and positive energy for a successful procedure.
Helpful - 0
1423357 tn?1511085442
Sounds like a great plan!  Good luck, hope they get it, and make sure you get back to us afterwards.  We'll be thinking of you!
Helpful - 0
995271 tn?1463924259
Hang in there.  Here's one of my favorite quotes when it comes to anxiety/ fear:   “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”


~Frank Herbet, Dune
Helpful - 0
1807132 tn?1318743597
Best of luck.  I will send good thoughts your way for a successful ablation.  Hang in there.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My ablation is in 1.5 days and I honestly can't wait now. I had to stop taking the beta blocker which slightly decreased the pvcs so the last fee days have been ugly : ( I am getting through it with the help of Ativan, lots of rest and the occasional sleeping pill. Still pretty nervous about the procedure but so excited at the prospect of being pvc free!!!!  Apparently I will meet with the cardiologist and the anesthetist just before the procedure so I can remind them of my anxiety issues and ask to be as sedated as possible. Thanks for all of the well wishes!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had two ablations and in my country they put you out completely so I was completely unaware of what was happening. Afterwards I did not feel in pain although I did feel a bit delicate for a week or so and I was not going to do any serious exercise for a while. Considering the discomfort etc you have now some unpleasant effects even if they are more than most people have, are nothing compared to the constant anguish you had beforehand. Good luck and keep us in the loop.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So, I hope you have communicated with your doctor and told him/her about your worries?  Really, docs cannot read your mind and truly prefer to know beforehand what a patient hopes for.
Helpful - 0
1807132 tn?1318743597
You are going to be scared.  That is understandable.  Someone is going in to mess with your heart but it is actually a very safe procedure with low risk.  Odds are better for an svt ablation than for pvcs but I can appreciate that it is worth a shot to be rid of the pvc.  In general I think they are more of a nuisance then my svt ever was.  I will not lie, I did feel them burn me.  It was a deep pain and it didn't feel good but not terribly excruciating.  If you are uncomfortable at any time I was told I could ask for a higher dose of sedation. They did up the levels right before they burned so they try their best to make it as painless as possible.  If you are nervous do let them know so they can account for that.  The main reason they use conscious sedation is so they can find the spot better.  Once it is found there is no reason why they can't give you enough to fall asleep.   Most do but I was kind of interested in watching what was going on.  I had 2 other surgeries for fibroids and I was knocked out for those so I was kind of curious to be awake for it.  I was quite scared I will admit but in the end it really turned out to be not a big deal.  Best of luck with the ablation. Let us know how it goes.   I will keep you in my prayers.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much and thanks for the links too- I had tried to find these previously but had no luck.
Helpful - 0
1423357 tn?1511085442
Helpful - 0
1423357 tn?1511085442
You're welcome!  Can you feel anything?  I don't know. I was under general anesthesia the entire time.  Perhaps that's why I'm feeling so brave!  I believe it is much like a colonoscopy. I don't remember anything, but the physician said I responded to any of his requests.  I think people here have reported feeling their heart being paced, but it was not painful.  I think some have reported feeling the catheter burns but I don't think any said that it really hurt.
Here.. click on this link below and it will take you to Jannie411's account of her actual ablation procedure.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Rhythm/Jannie411s-Ablation---Part-2--Section-2---The-Actual-Ablation-Procedure/show/1499077

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you : )
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just found out that the anesthetist will be with me for the entire procedure so if I'm anxious even with the sedation, they can increase it.  I wonder if you can feel pain when under conscious sedation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for the great suggestions!  This is my first time here so thank you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi!  Yes, it is a PVC ablation and they said I would be consciously sedated but the anesthetist would be with me for the entire procedure. It's on Oct 22-can't wait to be pvc free!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you!  This is my first time posting on any sort of support/advice site so I do really appreciate it. Apparently there will be an anesthetist beside me for the entire procedure in case medications need to be adjusted. Do you feel pain with conscious sedation?
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community

Top Arrhythmias Answerers
1807132 tn?1318743597
Chicago, IL
1423357 tn?1511085442
Central, MA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.