Cardiac Ablation for SVT

Hello kitbedit,

I am new to all this as well. I am 31 years old and I had a cardiac ablation done about 2 years ago. I too suffer from SVT. I was having multiple episodes a week. After having the ablation done I felt great! I had no episodes (for about a month). Then things went right back to the way they were. I now take Propranalol (generic for Inderol) everyday as well as Magnesium supplements to keep it in check and it does a good job.

The doctors say that they can do the ablation up to 3 times if it doesn't work the first time. After that surgery, (really scary being in a twilight state) I have decided that I will not do it again. If I have to have surgery again, it will be to implant a pacemaker.

Now to you wanting to start a family. I was newly pregnant when my SVT was discovered. I was not listed as high risk, but they did keep a close eye on things. Your best bet is to make sure your EP or Cardiologist is working with your OB. I did have to wear an "Event Monitor" from about month 5 on. It would record when things got a little wacky and I would have to call it in to the office (sounded like a fax machine). I had 1 scary trip to the ER because of the event monitor, but I am very thankful that I had it on. I now have a healthy 6 year old boy and didn't have any complications during my delivery. I did take the Propranalol when I was pregnant as well as blood thinners.

I hope that your ablation fixed the problems, but if not I hope this helps.

Had my ablation performed in London Ontario about 10 years ago. Haven't had an incident since.

Before that time I had been experiencing frequent episodes of svt's with heart rates exceeding 200 bpm. Adenosine was the med of choice to end them in emerg.

My heart specialist advised me that it was time to do something about it, so I had the ablation done and haven't had any episodes since.

At the time I admit that I had anxiety about having the procedure done but a friend of mine at work had it done and he assured me it wasn't a big deal. I'm glad that I went ahead with it.

Good Morning CP,

Welcome to HealingWell and we are glad you found us.  I am going to post info from Dr. H. James Wang, Cardiac Electrophysiologist:

How long is the recovery time?You will stay overnight after having ablation and will usually go home on the following day. Depending on your body conditions, you may stay extra days until you are ready to go home. More than 90% of patients go home the following day. You may experience some chest pain, which is due to inflammation of the pericardium after ablation. You may have some bruising over the catheter insertion site, which usually resolves in 1-2 weeks. You should take it easy for the next 4-5 days and do not perform vigorous exercise or heavy lifting. You can usually resume driving in about 3-5 days and resume normal work without limitations after 5 days. 

 

Please remember this is just the opinion of one Dr. and as each person is different their recovery time will be unique to them.

 

I hope you find the info you are looking for.

 

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Greetings, 53 yr old male...I recently had an rf ablation done due to SVT...I developed a BAD hematoma that formed an anurism and went back in a week later with excruciating pain in my rt thigh...A thoracic surgeon had to cut into my groin and repair the damaged femoral vein and saved my life, so to speak...after the ablation I had an SVT episode happen a week or so later and 1 more right before surgery...It was a helluva ride and hope I never have to go through this again...After a couple of months went by and the scar tissue caused by the rf ablation healed up I have not had another SVT episode...I feel them wanting to come back from time to time, but they DO NOT...I had my 1st SVT episode when I was 18 yrs old and would get them a couple of times a year, as time went by, now at 53 the episodes came on like 1 or twice a month...You can run from the truth and take all kinds of pills to try and keep the SVT'S at bay, but in the end, you can't hide from the truth...Now all I get are some skipped heartbeats, but the doc said that was part of the healing process...What bothers me is the bad side effects I've read about from taking 200 mg's of amiodarone daily(which will be eventually decreased) since my last ck up went sooo well) and some bad anxiety that hits me in the throat and makes me feel like I'm being slightly choked...I assume it's from my heart rate being 95% back to normal and the complications that ensued...The doctor also told me that in some cases years on down the road people who developed SVT will begin to experience Atrial Fib and will require a much more delicate and complicated form of ablation...Can anyone answer my questions about my anxiety and possible future AF...A word of encouragement...the procedure is not a big deal(pain wise)...The pretty little nurses who could not find my vein and used me as a pin cushion to start an IV, bothered me more than the procedure itself...Take care and do not forget to have your daily conversations with the ALMIGHTY and you will just fine...

Post Edited (franco1978) : 6/11/2013 3:43:14 PM (GMT-6)

I was recently diagnosed with SVT and just had my ablation procedure. I've made a Utube video, thinking it may help others who are going through the he same thing.http://youtu.be/swNLAQA2mUk