Catheter ablation

[Mollylolly]

Hi just wondering if anyone has had a catheter ablation and EP study? I'm due to get one on Friday for Afib and Svt and I'm absolutely terrified. I only have rare episodes but the worry about them happening again is ruining my life . I'm just worried the ablation will make anything worse . Also it's sedation they use and I'm not sure that will knock me completely out which is what I want.

I'd love to hear anyone who has any experience with this procedure.

Thanks x

@Mollylolly I'm just wondering how this went? I'm due to have an ablation next month for SVT, I've been reading lots of things online that are putting me off. I'm coping now, I don't want to introduce anything new!

I had this procedure for SVT a few years ago at Papworth. It was honestly fine...completely painless and the sedation makes you feel very relaxed and chilled. I felt fine afterwards and was able to go home the next day. I think you can go home the same day if it's done in the morning. I think it feels anxiety-provoking because it involves the heart but I wouldn't fear having it done again. You are very closely monitored throughout and I believe the risks of complications are very low.

I had one for AF but they gave me a general anaesthetic (BUPA). Ten months ago and despite still having some ectopic beats, never had an episode of AF again yet.
Have had one episode of tachycardia since but had COVID at the time. I'm still on bisoprolol and carry Flecinaide with me just in case!

thanks @queenofthedryshampoo and @Sunnnybunny72 that's very reassuring! I have decided to give flecainide a go first, and if that doesn't ablation seems like a good plan.

I had one done under sedation. I was aware of what was going on but it was fine. I went home the same day.

It completely cured my (very severe) SVT, which has been life changing for me. Definitely worth it.

Thanks @CorneliaStreet that's brilliant! How often were you having episodes? Did you try medication or go straight to the ablation?

My dad had it do e for AF a few years ago. He said it was ok. And cured the problem.

My mum had ablation for AF several years ago. It honestly gave her her life back!

@PointerParty It was at least once or twice a week, sometimes more. Sometimes I could get it to stop quickly, other times it would last for hours. I’d get bad chest pain and breathlessness with it too.

My GP wouldn’t diagnose it because my heart rate was always fine when he checked it, so he told me to call an ambulance next time I had an episode. The paramedics recorded my heart rate at 216 BPM and took me into A&E at a very fast pace! In hospital they had to give me a couple of rounds of a horrible IV drug which stops your heart briefly, which was pretty unpleasant.

All in all, I’m very relieved that the ablation fixed the problem. I was either having an episode or worrying about having one. Life is so much better now.

@CorneliaStreet yes I bet the drug you got was adenosine! I have had it numerous times in a and e for my svt too! They did try an ablation on me but unfortunately it failed.i get breathless too with mine, it’s miserable when it happens!

I've never had adenosine! I've heard it described as a crushing feeling? Needing it a few times must be rough.

I can go for a month with nothing and then a month of four episodes a week, I'm usually about 240bpm but never breathless or dizzy and I can always convert it myself.

Apparently due to the location of my extra pathway I'm at slightly greater risk of needing a pacemaker after the ablation, which is also worrying me quite a bit. I'm also worried about trying flecainide... I'm basically worried about all of it!!

I have had two EP studies for SVT.
This was after a horrendous episode which started as SVT and then while in resus changed to AF.

No sedation for the EP study as the surgeon said it is easier without.
It was painless but odd feeling. The first time was unsuccessful because they couldn't trigger an episode. The second one identified it as atrial tachycardia which is a version of SVT but they didn't ablate as the preferred treatment is drugs.
I take calcium channel blockers and carry fleicanide. This was 6 years ago and I would say it's under control because it self resolves. I get episodes in the night which wake me up but last only seconds.

@Sunnnybunny72 Have you ever used the fleicanide?

I'd be interested to know what triggers people's SVT?
Mine is overheating or infection. My worst attack was after pneumonia. Covid gave me horrendous palpitations.

I've been on calcium channel blockers for years, I think that's why I'm able to convert the episodes myself. The flecainide I've been prescribed is a twice daily dose. I haven't started it yet though. Interested to hear how others have found it.

My triggers are sleep deprivation, jet lag, infection, any hit of adrenaline (anything that gives me a fright basically), cardio, bending down, too much caffeine, a hangover... I think that's it 😂 sometimes I have no idea why it happens

@PointerParty the cardiologist wanted to give me daily flecainide but I was reluctant as I was symptom free at the time and worried about taking it (I have all sorts of other health conditions).
So he gave me it as a pill in the pocket.

Hi PointerParty
Yes I had the ablation last February for svt and AF . It lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes. I was sedated and honestly couldn't really feel anything. It also felt as if I was in the cath lab for about 20 minutes. The sedation was amazing. I haven't had any episodes since apart from one of tachycardia which lasted 5 minutes but that was when I was healing . Honestly if I had to have one again I wouldn't hesitate. But hopefully I wont need another. X

TheBackingSinger I did use the Flecainide. It converted me back to sinus rhythm but then in the weeks that followed I developed inappropriate tachycardia, so a racing heart on minimal exertion. I was put on a regular low dose twice a day with no effect, then it was doubled. Still had the racing heart, a further episode of fast AF and started with a tight chest so it was changed for Propafenone. I was great on that but specialist didn't advise it long term.
Had the ablation after that as was fed up with it all.

Don't blame you! I only had fast AF once and dread a repeat of that.
It was years before I dare travel abroad.