abalation without radiation

[xcseries]

I am a 70 yr old runner and have psvt and am scheduled for abalation in 60 days    my doctor currently has me on metoprolol and my running performance is horrible and I don't like feeling lightheaded all the time    so my option seems to be this or abalation.  the doctor performing the procedure says there is a 10% chance they could burn off too much and I would have to have a pacemaker.  Is anyone out there going thru this??

[xcseries]

It has been very difficult for me to do any type of up tempo training let alone race (5&10K distances).  Metoprolol that I am on seems to inhibit my ability to perform to the standards that I have been used to and I especially don't have the recovery ability from muscle fatigue after workouts

[xcseries]

From what I understand the only way and best way is the burning method any other method is not recommended

[xcseries]

Good idea.......where a heart monitor when you start ramping up your training

[KTrunning]

Will do!  I don't think I'll be trying any tempo workouts until January though.  Going to use December to get my fitness back and get my used to running again.

[xcseries]

Thanks for your story.......let me know how you do with up tempo workouts in your running  

[KTrunning]

When telling me my options, my doc mentioned medication to me and flat out said he would not put me on a beta-blocker b/c it would drive me crazy.  He said I wouldn't be able to run like normal.  He had mentioned a rhythm medication to me instead of a beta-blocker, but I decided to go ahead with the ablation.  I'm 31 and didn't want to be on meds for who knows how long.  I had to have two ablations b/c the bad pathway burnt in the first one was masking some other bad pathways.  During the 2nd one, four more places were burnt and one of them they couldn't be burnt as long b/c it was closer to the AV node.  I had told my doc before all of this that I wanted him to be conservative b/c I didn't want any chance of needing a pacemaker!  I'm only a few days out from ablation #2 so I can't tell you yet how I feel running or being active.

[tom_h]

I concur with littlegreenman1.  I don't think it's possible to locate, without guessing the location of your SVT.  Only Wolff-Parkinson-White may indicate its presence with an odd waveform on an EKG, and even then its location is not known.  Mine was AVRT, and was located in the left side of the heart well away from the AV node, the sensitive area.  Others with right sided AVNRT may have a location close to or perhaps actually part of the AV Node.  In this case care must be taken.  Some docs will use cryogenic catheters to first chill the area to turn it off.  If they decide that's the location, they'll continue to freeze the spot and sever the pathway.  If it's not the spot, the location warms and returns to normal.

I think the thing to look at here is at 70, your SVT is placing you into a risk bracket that you don't need to be in with this procedure available.  That's why at 60 I had it done.  It's cake to get done, and you'll be out running again in perhaps 2 weeks.  I was doing slow warm-up laps just 8 days after mine with my son pacing me to slow me down.  That's how great I felt.  I know littlegreenman1 above me ran a marathon shortly after his.  For the vast maority of us, the procedure is truely life changing in a good way.

[littlegreenman1]

I'm doubting you heard the doc correctly. There's a chance that he could mess up and you get a pacemaker, but not 10%... surely not. Actually, I'm not certain that he can know the location of the SVT without the EP study.

Anyway: I think he more likely gave you the standard debrief of potential complications (which includes a pacemaker) and a 10% chance of the ablation not working.

Call and ask again.

ps - I just BQ'd on my 9th marathon on a successfully ablated heart. Stay safe on the road.

[tom_h]

I forgot, but wanted to ask you about your topic title.  It wasn't mentioned in your post.  Yes, you will be dosed during the procedure, but today's equipment will minimize the amount you receive.

[tom_h]

Lot's of us on here have had the procedure done.  I'm going on 3 years free of SVT after having itmform54 years.  I thinkmit's a very good idea to have it done, especially at your age.  Regardless of your condition, SVT is tough on an older heart.  I was in pretty good shape for 60 years old, and my cardiologist was quite alarmed at the 250bpm EKG.  I regularly could get my NSR up to 200bpm, so I didn't think it was a big deal, but he saw different and encouraged me to have the procedure done.

I think your electrophysiologist is being very cautious in giving you the odds.  My unprofessional opinion based on spendiimg time on this forum is the likelyhood of you coming out,with a pacemaker,is extremely remote. Min fact, I know of no one that has passed thru this forum that required a pacemaker coming out of the procedure.  I can tell you this much: It gave my life back to me.  After a lifetime of SVT, I can't tell you the feeling of being able to give 100% and not have to worry about possibility of an event.  If you have any questions regarding the procedure, please feel free to ask.