Abnormal heart rhythm question!

[debster913]

Hi, all--

Saw my EP doctor yesterday and my cardio this morning for my ablation follow-up. I had no PVCs on the EKG that my EP doc did, and my cardio didn't hear any this morning when he listened to my heart. I'm still experiencing PVCs and some V-Tach. I'm having V-Tach almost daily now, as opposed to occasionally before the procedure. My EP doctor said it may be "normal" to feel these beats post-ablation for a few weeks or a few months after (I see her again in 6 weeks, and then after March 22, the three-month anniversary of my ablation). My cardio seems a bit puzzled that I'm still having PVCs and some V-tach, and he wants me to wear another Holter monitor.

My question is for those of you who have had ablations: Have you continued to have an abnormal heart rhythm after the ablation?

My cardio increased my dose of Toprol XL to 100 mg to be taken at night to see if it makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Debi (debster913)

 

[JeffM]

Hi Debi -

It's been almost 17 weeks since my AVR and left pulmonary ablation. After the first 3 weeks I didn't have any more afib but lately I have been getting a fair number of skipped beats. I stopped taking Amiodarone about a month ago and perhaps as that has slowly left my system my heart beat has become a little less steady. Who knows. I had my 24 hr Holter on Monday, 1/5 to see if it's steady enough to get off the Warfarin. Still waiting to hear on that, but I swear, I had more PVCs that day then any day since my surgery. Granted I lifted weights quite a bit the previous evening and rode my bike a hard 36 miles that day. Maybe the combination of the two in such a short time was a bit of overload. I rode 47 on Sunday and it wasn't a problem. Also noticed my resting HR was about 5 - 10 beats faster on Monday than it's been. From what I've read and been told by my cardio, arrhythmias are common for a few months after an ablation procedure.

 

[tobagotwo]

There is just about nothing worse than becoming aware of your heart rhythm and trying to watch and record it for weeks on end. It will cause you to have worse palpitations out of sheer exasperation and concern, if not a complete mental and physical breakdown.

You both have my sincerest sympathy. This is one of Heisenberg's principles in action To understand it, you must observe it. However, the process of observing it changes it.

Best wishes,

 

[kfay]

Debi, You know I have continued to struggle with rhythm issues since my surgery. I had an ablation 28 years ago, and while I have never had another rhythm issue from that pathway that they ablated all those years ago I have always had some sort of rhythm thing going on. They rechecked that pathway with another EP study before my surgery in April and found that it had held all of these years. I do think it can take a while after an ablation for you to be able to tell it's full effect. I know it is frustrating, but try and be patient.

Kim

 

[Dina]

Hi Debi, sorry to hear you arestill having rhythm problems.
When I had my ablation,I left in normal sinus and no pvc's,I maintained
this for a little over 6 weeks,and had to get another ablation and this
one seemed to work. I wouldn't give up hope yet,my EP didn't even want
to see me until after 6 weeks(but I went in early) because of the possibility
of having abnormal rhythms off and on(or changes) for a short time.
If it continues then I would demand attention,but it may settle on its
own,this can be normal.
PS just don't watch the History Channel this week..they are having a
"Doomsday Week".Truly,I think it has raised my bp a little

 

[Cooker]

I had ablation along with my AVR (2-21-06) ... the surgeon said it could take up to six months to know if it worked .... I went into a-fib once post surgery and was cardio-verted (sp?) and have not had the problem again ... it is my understanding that ablation is not a sure thing, at least that is what I was told..... Hope it clears up....