Anyone had a catheter ablation or a TOE?

[Madsometimes]

I'm due to have both of these in the next few months, and I would like to know what they are like. The ablation is for atrial flutter and the TOE is to evaluate an atrial septal defect.

Being a coward I would like to know how much the ablation hurts, and what the recovery time is. I would also like to know if the TOE will make me sick up.

I'm afraid I have no experience with TOEs, but I did have ablation for SVT as a day case a couple of years ago. They put emla cream on my groin before I went along to the cath lab, so I didn't feel a thing as they inserted the sheath and the catheter. Got to watch it threading up through the veins to my heart on the real-time xray monitor next to the bed, which was quite surreal :) Once it was in the heart there was a bit of fiddling around while they tried to induce the SVT to find the right spot to ablate - couldn't feel a thing despite seeing this thing in my heart on the screen in front of me. When they found it the ablation lasted a couple of seconds, during which I could feel a sharp burning sensation in the centre of my chest, but as soon as they stopped ablating it was fine. The most uncomfortable part was when they went to remove the sheath which the catheter passes through into the vein - I think because the blood dries around it and the emla had worn off it was actually pretty painful when they pulled it out! But again, over in seconds. I was back to work the next day, and just felt a bit achey around the side of my groin where they'd gone it, that lasted maybe a week. They did offer sedation before the start of the procedure, so if you feel nervous while you're there I definitely think that would help. But overall, my experience of it was totally fine:)

Thanks for your reply bebeBubs.

My EP did warn me that I would feel burning during the ablation, but also said that my procedure should be simple, and quick. I'm going to be treated as a day case too. I'm quite anxious about the pain and about having my heart barbecued but I shall have to be brave.

I had a TOE but had rohypnol type drug which although I was awake and could follow their instructions I have no recollection of it at all. So much so that afterwards when I came round I thought it hadn't been done! It gave them all the info tehy needed though but after it the structure it showed meant I couldn't have an ablation and have remained on drugs

Noddy I'm sorry that you could not have the ablation. I will have to stay on warfarin and a betablocker even if the ablation is successful, but I have managed to avoid the nastier medications, such as amiodarone. I've had a cath and a pacer put in under conscious sedation, but I can still remember what happened (nothing traumatic).

Noddy and the OP - that drug was Midazolam - OP ask for it, it has a side effect of short term memory loss.

For a TOE they will spray the back of your mouth so you don't feel anything, they will offer sedatio TAKE THE SEDATION. You will probably be given a moth guard.

They then feed a transducer down to the level of yoru heart - the pictures are so much clearer than normal echo as there is no lung or bone to get in the way.

bebeBubs has give a very good description of an ablation so I won't repeat it.

I have had a TOE - under general anesthetic so I can't tell you much other than that it leaves you with a very sore throat for a couple of days.
Really just posted to say that if you want to discuss the ASD or anything else, the charity GUCH (for young people/adults born with a heart condition) has a messageboard. www.guch.org.uk