Radiofrequency ablation and devices

Obviously we're all here because we have or know someone with a pacemaker or ICD.
My question:
Anyone out there have a previously implanted device and endured radiofrequency ablation afterwards.
I know the statistics on ablations, but don't know many who've had devices already implanted at the time of the ablation. I'm concerned about the safety of my pacemaker hardware and whether or not RF energy has any possible damaging effects to it.
I'm not completely sold on what my doctor proposes, but he states, "If it were me, or you were my sister.....I'd definitely try this ablation first and save the AV node ablation as the last resort."

Whatever !?!?!?

7 Comments

I would preserve function when possible

by BillMFl - 2009-02-17 04:02:08

Once the AV node is ablated, you can't get it back, and you may not have a perfect outcome. There are advantages to preserving the AV node and minimizing V pacing. He is probably encouraging a conservative approach first. Give up the AV node and you will be pacing 100% and that does not guarantee zero tachy etc.

ablation

by clemsongirl - 2009-02-17 04:02:20

I had 4 ablations for atrial flutter/fib before I got my pacemaker/ICD. Since I got my pacemaker a year ago I've had one afib ablation and an av node ablation. The av node ablation is definitely a last resort item in my book and that's how my doctor treated it. We decided to do it after all the medication options ran out. I've never heard of any pacemaker issues caused by the radio frequency. My doctor at Emory didn't mention anything about it and he's very thorough. In my opinion trying the ablation is worth it. Even after all I went through, I don't regret trying the ablation procedures when I did. They at least bought me more time before having to have the av node ablation.

Good luck.

ablation after device

by kcruz - 2009-02-17 04:02:21

I have had 2 ablations post device and 3 prior to device. My post ablation consisted of a left and right heart A Fib ablation and also another AT ablation. Things went well with both in the way of the device, had no ill effects. ( too bad the ablations didn't hold though :() hope this helps

as far as AV node

by kcruz - 2009-02-17 04:02:39

Sorry, I forgot to add. my AV node was ablated in 2003 due to AT. In my experience, if at all possible I would recommend that you hold off on an AV node ablation if your symtoms are somewhat tolerable. I did fantastic with the AV node ablation for the first 2 years, but was still having AT and ended up developing cardiomyopathy due to the high HR, just a thought .

ABLATION

by pete - 2009-02-18 03:02:59

No problem with RF ablation in respect of your pacemaker. You do not say if you are looking at an AV node ablation or some other ablation. I had a pacemaker first and an AV node ablation second. My ep more or less tried to persuade me not to have the AV node ablation. However I was determined to have it after reading reams of technical info on the internet abiut the pros and cons prior to becoming seriously ill. The results were fantastic and im back in the land of the living . If I did not know that I had a pacemaker and could not feel it , I would not know that anything was wrong. I still have permanent AF though.It was discovered that during the period between pacemaker implantation and AV node ablation I was getting Vtach which is potentially life threatening. Since the AV node ablation I have had no Vtach. This was not discovered before I had the AV node ablation. I sometimes wondered if the doctors had lost their nerve a bit as I was so terribly ill before the AV node ablation. Cheers Peter

Thanks, Ya'll

by Angelie - 2009-02-18 10:02:01

Great comments by all of you. I really do appreciate your input.

Thanks so much.
Angelie

I'm curious

by Eperr - 2009-05-12 11:05:28

Angelie, What did you decide to do?
I too can have a radio frequency ablation and I am very concerned.

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