Please help...has anyone had this?

Dear All
Please can I ask if anyone has had anything like this?

I had an AV node ablation in October. Since then I've had 3 episodes of non sustained ventricular tachycardia (2 found recently on PM download, I felt a fast heart rate both times). That is not my question though.

Before the AV node ablation I was 100% atrial paced as my sinus node was damaged by 2 ablations near it. Since the AV node ablation I am now 100% ventricle paced too.

Since October & my AV node ablation, I've been experiencing pressure sensations in my neck, up both sides.It feels like it is coming from the blood vessels in my neck. My blood pressure is low so it's not due to high BP. Sometimes I feel the pressure in my throat & occasionally a "choking" sensation with it.

More recently I've been getting a bit breathless climbing our stairs indoors & get this weakness sensation down my arms & legs. This has only happened for the last few weeks.

Echo is normal with EF of 65-70%. ECG monitor for a week shows normal heart rhythm during symptoms.

So, as this has only happened since my AV node ablation, my question is

1. Could it be the effects of the AV node ablation?

2. Am I just feeling the effect of 100% ventricle pacing in my neck?

When I had my junctional rhythm I used to get pressure in my neck & I know that was caused by AV dyssyncrony. The junctional rhythm has not returned, ablated during AV node ablation.....but could I still be getting some sort of AV dyssyncrony?

I am very confused now as to what is causing these symptoms but they have only happened since the AV node ablation & my becoming 100% ventricle paced.

Has anyone else had symptoms like these & what was the cause? Please do let me know!

Many thanks
Janey

2 Comments

Had the same

by ldebaugh - 2013-02-13 07:02:31

I had a St. Jude ACCENT PM put in last Feb, 10, 2012 after an AV node ablation for atrial fib. Afterward, the pressure and exercise intolerance was severe. I had a 53%EF, so yours is even better, 50% is normal/average. So, you are really good.

Here's what it turned out to be for me. Which may not be your situation. The hot dog EP used an ACCENT PM which is meant to be connected with atrial and ventricular leads. But because I was in afib, he put the atrial lead in my Left Ventricle. Whoa!!..... The atria and ventricles have a top down special relationship that has a slight delay and the ACCENT has a sophisticated 2 to 1 ratio which keeps the ventricle at 1/2 of the atrial rate so if/when the atrium goes fast it controls the ventricles. Ventricles are supposed to be sparked at the same time. This atrial/ventricle delay is a built in factor and can't be reprogrammed out of the ACCENT. In other words he was gerry rigging the ACCENT to be a bi-ventricular PM, which it's not.

I was horribly SOB and had the pressure you are talking about and could do almost nothing. Got a new PM in November and it's so much better.

Is your PM a bi-v? Ask as many questions as you can.
M'Liz

Thank you

by Janey L - 2013-02-13 07:02:32

Hi M'Liz
Thank you so much for your reply, I am so relieved that someone else has experienced this! So you know what I am going through. I have just sent you a private message.
Many thanks
Janey

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