Cardiac ablation - anyone know about it ??!

[Chickeninapie]

Hi,

im having a catheter ablation procedure in a few days for supraventricular tachycardia.

just wondered if anyone here has ever had it/knows anything about it? I’m especially worried that they won’t be able to trigger the SVT- I’ve had multiple episodes which have been caught on ECG in hospital but I’m worried for some reason that they won’t be able to trigger it during the EP. Does anyone know if this happens, what would happen? And would it still be SVT or would that mean it isn’t SVT anymore if they can’t trigger SVT and find the pathway to ablate it?

I think I’m just nervous because I desperately want it to go well and for things to be better

going to call and try to speak to the cardiac nurse tomorrow obviously but just hoping someone on here might have some knowledge or experience or any words of wisdom

thanks in advance 👍🏻

Hi,
I did have this when I was 19. Not sure if we communicated on a thread about a month ago about SVT?

Also- if anyone has any advice or words of wisdom about getting through the procedure and recovery that would be very appreciated 👍🏻

it was 20 odd years ago.

But it cured it completely, I never get it now.

It was fairly quick, I think afterwards my heart was racing a lot but I don’t remember as I was sedated/asleep. I recovered reallt well. Just had a large bruise on my groin area.

It was a strange feeling when they triggered it during the procedure.

Soeak to the team/nurse about your worries. It’s fairly common I think (the op)

Dd had it a few years ago. She'd only had one caught on ECG but had a funny trace which means they went for a quick ablation. It was hard for them to trigger it during the electrophysiology study and I think they used a medication to help. It worked well - she's had a couple of minor events since 2020 but nothing at all like it was before. Recovery was quick.

@Chickeninapie i honestly don’t remember there being a big deal about recovering. I am sure I was back to normal after a day or 2 of chilling on the sofa

Should say that DD had it under general as she was only 13 so not quite the same experience

We were staying in a premier inn near the hotel and the breakfast v much helped with recovery from GA!

I have had 2 ablations for SVT, the success rate is very high but unfortunately neither of mine worked due to the fault being in a very tricky place. They offered me a third but I'm trying to just manage it now.

The operation itself wasn't too bad, there was a little bit of pain putting the lead in the groin but they triggered the SVT pretty easily (I think they normally do so I wouldn't worry!) unfortunately for me like I say it was in a tricky place so it got too uncomfortable and they decided to try again under GA but again it was unsuccessful. I do think this is extremely rare though so don't be disheartened. If they do manage to do it successfully your life will be sooo much better! SVT is so annoying and stressful so you're definitely doing the right thing.

Let me know if you have any questions x

Great. Thanks for the advice! Good to know the recovery is basically nothing too.

think I’m just worried after all this they won’t be able to trigger it and it will all be for nothing. Daft to worry about I know, but I’m just desperate for this to work and worried it won’t!

it’s being done urgently which I’m incredibly grateful for, but I think is also contributing to the nerves slightly as I’ve not really had time to properly think about it all. X

I also had it done about 20 years ago - there was no problem triggering at all. I didn't have any sedation so was awake throughout - it was uncomfortable but completely manageable and quite quick. Positioning the leads took longer than the actual ablation!! Having the leads put in felt very, very strange but wasnt painful at all. I felt some heat during the ablation but was told I could ask for it to be stopped at any time.

I had to lie flat for a few hours afterwards and was then allowed home. It fixed the problem for me completely :)

I had it aboard about 15 years ago -a minor procedure, local anaesthetic, all went well but took a few years for the extra beats to completely disappear. Now experiencing them only when I’ve had too much caffeine or alcohol. No restrictions on exercising or anything else.
Was on propranolol for a while after the procedure.
I can’t remember all the details but didn’t have concerns or questions like yours though.
Good luck! 🤞 Hopefully the procedure will sort it out for you🙂

I had this done back in 2014. No regrets. I couldn’t believe how well it worked!

I was in the lab/room thing for about 30 minutes. I could only have little puffs of Valium because I was breastfeeding a newborn, so I could feel what was happening but I would say the feeling was right on that borderline between discomfort and pain.

they thread some wire up through your leg. This doesn’t hurt but personally I could feel it moving all the way through my veins. Eww. Then they do the procedure. I found each time they triggered the palpitations I would get an ache in my chest and it got gradually more achey throughout.

They kept me at the hospital for about two hours afterwards. I felt super tired for about 30 minutes after the procedure but then they brought my baby to me and I perked up 😁. I was a bit fatigued for the rest of the week but very impressed by how well the procedure worked! The difference was apparent literally the next day. I kept standing up, waiting for the palpitations to hit and.. nothing came.

Prior to the procedure I would experience palpitations for hours every day and frequently have a racing heart. Now, I have a normal heart beat and the only time I ever get palpitations is when I am coming down with a virus or about to get my period (I got a IUD now, so that one’s been solved).

Oh, forgot to say. This is so much better than taking medication. I could not believe the difference in my energy levels and quality of life after the ablation. It turns out most people don’t go through life permenantly exhausted and just waiting to go back to bed every day!

DH had a catheter ablation for atrial fibrilation and atrial flutter done around 18 months ago. He had to take blood thinners for 3 months before and 3 months after, and went to a regional specialist centre who were brilliant. He had a bit of a nightmare afterwards as he bled badly from where they'd inserted the wire in his groin so had to stay in for 36 hours afterwards with a pressure clamp applied, but he felt fine and only had 2/3 days at home resting before going back to work. He said his chest felt a bit bruised but nothing that paracetamol didn't take away. It did take more like 6 months for the effects to fully kick in rather than the 3 they stated but he's still off medication touch wood.

I had an angiogram a few weeks ago and a cardiac stent installed. The procedure itself was painless - they went in with the catheter through an artery in my wrist. A dollop of valium was going in via a drip, so that probably helped. My arm was very bruised from wrist to elbow up until a few days ago.

The only thing I was not happy about was the absence of proper communication and I think you are wise to speak to the specialist nurse. I found it almost impossible to screw any information out of the doctors - what had happened? - why were they opting for the treatment? - what might I expect in the future? etc. Write a list and find out everything you need to know.

I am possibly to have an ablation for atrial fibrillation at some point.

Good luck with your procedure.

Really feel a lot better about it now and I’m glad I posted- it’s amazing to hear how much the procedure helped other people!! ❤️ really hoping it goes well this week and that it stops these awful SVT episodes.

Had it about 14 years ago - no problem triggering the SVT. Awake for the procedure, fascinating watching it on the screen. Had some short acting Valium for when they did the actual procedure. The third part, when they tested it out, was a sensation of drumming in the ears but it didn’t last for long. Had to rest after then told to be v careful for a few days re the entry site in the groin.

Excellent result, life changing - occasional ectopic beat and little run but it doesn’t go anywhere, no episode triggered. Best wishes, OP !

My husband had it done last year and it completely resolved the issue for him. Whenever he did exercise his heart rate would rapidly spike, now it only ever goes to the maximum it should do. They triggered the tachycardia no issues. He had it done at John Radcliffe in Oxford so stayed down there the night before but he was back home in Lincoln the evening of the same day. Recovery was incredibly plain sailing, he made the most of the recovery time off with Netflix, then got back to his running/football/cycling in no time at all :)

Hi just thought I’d post a quick update. Had it and it went well :) I actually cried afterwards because I was so relieved and happy that I’m not going to have SVT anymore, I’ve been so miserable with it and I’m so happy that its not going to be a problem anymore. X

Well done! I had the procedure a month ago and have had no svts since. Fingers crossed that you have a good outcome too.

So glad to know it went well for you!

Great news! Onwards and upwards!

Great to hear ! It really does make a difference, no more wondering when the next episode may strike. It’s a great sense of freedom. Best of wishes for the future.

Honestly it’s been amazing so far. I’m scared to jinx it but I haven’t had a single episode or palpitation. Before the ablation I was having them daily and was in A&E 2x weekly for adenosine. Haven’t had a single problem since the ablation (long may it continue!)