Ablation for SVT
Posted , 2 users are following.
I'm a 55 yr old female. Having suffered from SVT attacks on and off for the last 10 years, earlier this year I finally had the correct diagnosis (having had it caught on ECG).
I've had the Catheter Ablation procedure last week at Papworth I would like to tell all those of you who have been offered / might be considering this treatment: Do not hesitate, have it done ASAP!
It was the best decision I ever made! :O
The procedure was carried out in a day-ward, the whole process of electrophysiological study and ablation of the rogue pathway only took 1 1/2 hr. I was awake but having been given some sedation I did not feel much - I was just aware of the increased heartbeats when they were trying to find the area of problem and a very slight burning sensation when they were burning the problematic tissue.
Only 2 hrs later I was out of bed and walking around! I was back home the same evening and after a couple of days of feeling slightly tired I now feel on top of the world! Having stopped all medication (Flecainide and Bisoprolol) I've got a lot more energy and feel a lot more like my 'old self'!
I know that only time will tell if the problem has been 'sorted for good' but I would not hesitate to have it done again, if needed. Apart from a few little 'flutters' (which I'm told are normal whilst the heart is healing) I feel great, especially with the knowledge that the wrong bit was 'zapped' and any sudden increase in my heart rate is not likely to spin it into a looped frenzy!
After two episodes of having my heart stopped at an A&E I can honestly say that having ablation was far less uncomfortable and less scary!
Dr Begley and all the staff at Papworth Day Ward were most helpful and pleasant, dispelling my fears and making sure I was comfortable and free from pain and anxiety during my stay there!
Great work, great result, and all on the good old NHS (long may it survive)! 
0 likes, 3 replies
Merryl BosnianHeart
Posted
Could you tell me what symptoms did you have? I would have an operation if I could. I am seeing my Dr two day's time and hope he can do something. Glad you are now feeling much better.
BosnianHeart Merryl
Posted
Sorry to hear that you are having an increase in the number of palpitations - I know what that feels like! I too had these episodes on and off for about 7 years - the start of the increase in these episodeseemed to coincide with some amjor stresses in my personal life. The reason I was offered the op was after two episodes of a racing heart (240+ beats) where it did not stop on its own - each time I had to go to A&E and have my heart stopped with an injection. Needless to say I felt rather exausted after an hour or so of such fast heart rate and the doctors did not think it was doing my heart any good either - these 'rogue' electrical pathways apparently get stronger / wider every time this happens. As far as I understand we can all get ocassional palpitapiuons but the SVT diagnosis for me meant that my heart could not manage to return to the normal rhytm by itself. I too was on Betablockers for a while in the early years of my symptoms and then weened off gradually when the episodes reduced. However, after 5-6 years of feeling absolutely fine these prolonged episodes of racing heart rate came from nowhere! Each time they were triggered by a sudden change of posture - usually getting up from picking something from the floor; in the end I had to do every u8p-and-down movement very slowly, which was a pain as I normally whizz-about the place!
I am please to say that nearly two years on from my Ablatiaon surgery I am feeling great - no medication and full of energy once more. I do get an odd 'flutter' now and then but the heart seems to sort it out within a few ticks - my doctor says that people like us are just more aware of what our hearts do because of what we've experienced.
I wish you all the luck with your forthecoming appointment and I hope it gets sorted out soon - so that you can enjoy life without having to think about this problem and when is the next one coming along!
With best wishes...
Merryl BosnianHeart
Posted
Thank you so much for your quick reply. I have had a racing heart but only on a few occassions. Once it went up to 160 beats a minute, I was in hospital at the time on a heart monitor for 5 day's. Your's seem to be worse than mine. My palpitations start in the morning when I wake up and seem to stop towards the evening..
I understand what you said about movement starting it off. I am afraid to walk too fast or move sometimes. Just have to see what the Dr says on Friday.
Hope you continue to feel well. .