ablasion on bottom of heart

[bbjack]

my nephew is 41 and he has a spot on the bottom of his heart the dr did ablasion on because his heart rate would go to 240 and he has to go to er to get it to slow down. they say its uncommon to be on the bottom and also more dangerous. the ablasion didnt work so hes on meds til 2 months then they are sending him to university of alabama.he owns a farm which intails hard work but everytime but one that his heart acts up,hes been in bed or just inside doing nothing. is there a time that it "short circuits" more or does something bring this on? my sister is worrying herself sick that hes outside working but if he sats down and quits..hes through... does anyone know about this??

[Mom2four85]

without knowing the medical terms of what's wrong with him none of us would be able to tell you anything else; have him ask for a copy of his test results so someone can help figure out what's going and help a bit more

the bottom thin part of the heart is not a very common place I've heard or read that's worked on; as for heart attack - an ablation would the for the "electrical" system of the heart and a heart attack is more of a "plumbing" problem; is the way it was explained to me - I think stroke was plumbing also, has he had a cardiac cath to see if his arteries are ok?

I would caution him with the HR and his problem on the bottom part of the heart to be very cautious until his appt; it may be very hard for him to handle and come to terms with on a farm; so he may need some help - def listen to the dr and not wait past 5 min - get to the ER or call an ambulance to get him

[bbjack]

thanks guys....lisa  that does make sense ..and its exactly what he said ..it may go to another part of the heart...this is so complicated...one thing i dont understand{among many}    the doctor said if his heart dont slow down in 5 min. to go to the e.r.,   at best it would take 15-20min to get there and if hes at his moms its over an hour ...is there anything to do in the meantime while getting him there besides pray? does this cause a heart attack or stroke or both??I applaud you all...you are so brave and and to reach out to others like this to help annd/or to try to reassure them is a gift from god to us and Im sure many more. Thank You All

[Mom2four85]

from what my EP explained to me - the bottom part of the heart is very thin and difficult to work on; when they find the right spot they don't usually "burn" more than absolutely needed as they can with some other cases - sometimes with the bottom part of the heart there will be a need to do follow up ablations because the activity is routed to a different part of the heart...does that make sense?

many of us have difficult cases and have dangerous or malignant cases such as myself; luckily he is being treated and in good care with his doctors and in good health - that will help alot

if they find they can't work on the spot; it may be better for him to go to AL with a more skilled facility in handling his type of case

sorry your family is going through this; it's never easy and I'm not sure I quite understand what's wrong with him but hopefully the doctors find it and help him =)

hang in there and let us know how he's doing

[bbjack]

Thank you both for your comments. My understanding is that they sent him back with a blood thinner and a medicine that hopefully keeps his heart from unning away but told him if it didnt slow down in 5min to get  to the ER. they explained the resaon for the 2month wait was because they have to let his heart heal from the 1st ablation before they can do anything else. They said they were going to map it again in oct when he goes back but if they feel they arent equipped to handle where the short circuit is,they will send him to alabama.They explained it could be deep  on the inside of the heart. My nephew is a very independent person who never wants anyone to know hes sick so its really hard to ask him these questions,The last time the heart acted up,{2 weeks ago},they were preparing to shock him because it was going so fast but it did slow down with whatever they gave him. I dont even know what to ak you,i guess Im hoping to find someone who has this at the bottom and have hope that he will survive this. He is healthy in every way other than this. Dont smoke,dont drink,eats right exercises..etc and for this to happen when he takes such care of himself,is just very baffling and to be honest,we are scared to death  and so is he. Im sorry if Im not posting questions right but is there anyone on here that has it at the bottom of the heart??? thank you

[bypeep]

Jack,

I assume that you are saying he's been diagnosed with some sort of sustained ventricular tachycardia?  This would mean that instead of the rapid beats stemming from the upper chambers (as it should), he's getting them from his ventricles?

This is a serious condition, but in some cases it can be managed and treated.  He's doing the best thing by seeing a hospital that is equipped to deal with his type of arrhythmia.  I think that the concern with ablating the ventricles is that, yes, it is more dangerous than ablating the atria.  And, it also depends on which ventricle is firing off the extra beats.  

Some people on this board have had multiple ablations - the first one, two or three not working but the fourth or fifth being the "cure" for their condition.  It may take more than one  foray into the ep room to fix him.  But, he won't know until he sees the docs at the U of A.  

Until then, I'd feel good knowing that they were comfortable enough sending him home on drug therapy to wait for 2 whole months for a consult.  If this was dire, they might have gotten him in sooner - or at least I would hope so.

I wish your family the best. :)

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't know anything about the need to "ablate" on the bottom of the heart.  I think it is  very unusual.  Most "electrical"problems originate in the upper chamber, the atrium.. and move down to the ventricles.  That does, I believe, mean unwanted signals are usually ablated in the upper portion of the heart, atrium and ventricle.

All the above doesn't help, I know, but I think it something that may help you ask question when visiting the doctor...they are questions I'd ask.  

A high Heart Rate (HR) must be treated, anything over 100 at rest is considered tachycardia and is usually treated.  Often the HR can be lowered sufficiently with beta blockers, is he taking anything like that?  The bad side is high dose BB usually cause fatigue and weakness, making it more difficult to do physical work.  

I believe a HR over 200, even at the relatively young age of 41, is dangerous and should be given immediate attention, medical.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but my post does let you know your post is being read, and by many more than me I am sure.  Perhaps someone with specific knowledge will yet respond.