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To ablate or not to ablate
- by Jax
- 2013-05-29 11:05:24
- General Posting
- 1066 views
- 9 comments
I am considering having a PVI ablation for afib. I am hoping that someone out there can help me. I'm weighing the pros and cons and need some input.
Thanks much!!
9 Comments
PVI
by IAN MC - 2013-05-30 06:05:17
Hello Jax.. there is a superb site which should answer most of your questions :-
www.uhs.nhs.uk/.../Pulmonaryveinisolationradiofrequencyablation-patie...
PVI ( Pulmonary Vein Isolation) simply refers to the site in the heart where the cells are ablated . Apparently where the pulmonary vein meets the left atrium can be where some types of afib originate.
Access to the site needs a tiny hole to be made in the heart but I'm sure this is nothing like as bad as it sounds !
In skilled hands I'm sure it is a very simple procedure and MAY cure your condition. As with all ablations . I would take care in choosing a doctor to perform it so ask loads of probing questions about the number of times he has done it, success rates, likelihood of adverse events etc.
Best of luck
Ian
Thanks for the info on PVI
by janetinak - 2013-05-30 07:05:35
I have had AV node ablation in 2000. My EP mentioned something new (must have been PVI) but it was still too early to help me. So I went with AV node ablation in 10/00 & altho only on Coumadin 'cause still in Afib but glad I had my procedure. Feel great & on my 3rd PM & do everything I want to do what with my age (70's) & arthritis.
Janet
I have had two Ablations
by BStanding56 - 2013-05-30 08:05:20
I have had two Ablations, my quality of life was dramatically improved, I was very symptomatic. they did not totally stop the Af but had it happening far less often and when I was in Af did not feel as unwell. I have no regrets after having an Ablationxx
Hi Janet
by Jax - 2013-05-30 08:05:44
A PVI is a pulmonary vein isolation or ablation.
It's a wAy to cure afib...or hopefully cure afib.
Get an Experienced EP
by ebfox - 2013-05-30 10:05:11
Hi Jax,
Another excellent website is Stopafib.org. The forums on that site have lots of discussions about PVIAs. I will try to condense some of the more important points you need to consider:
The experience level of your EP is probably the single most important factor that you can control to increase the odds of a successful operation. If your EP has not done 1000 PVIA procedures you should not even consider him. That's 1000 will 3 zeros. Otherwise you can just plan on having more than one procedure. I realize that if you are not in the US, you may have less control over that choice.
The procedure typically has a very easy recovery period. I had mine on Friday and I felt good enough to go to work on Monday.
If your hospital is a teaching hospital, you need to have a discussion about who will do what to you- there are some horror stories about new residents learning how to place the catheter sheaths and plowing up the poor guy's veins. MAKE SURE THEY ARE EXPERIENCED, am I clear on that?
There's lots more I could tell you, however if you have specific questions send me a PM. I had an ablation that failed, then I had mini-maze surgery that successfully got rid of my afib (it also blew away my sinus node, but that's a different story).
Good luck,
E. B.
I too had it done
by ford truck guy - 2013-05-30 11:05:16
I had it done back in 2009 and now may need a second one. One of my issues is that I also have C.O.P.D. and when i get sick most of the lung meds interact with the heart and that all tosses me back in rapid A-Fib. My EP just hooked me up with his buddy who is a Pulmanary Doc so they can work side by side for meds and treatments...
You know you're wired when...
You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.
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What is a PVI? Looked in
by janetinak - 2013-05-30 03:05:12
abbreviations & didn't see it. Can anyone enlighten me.
Thanks,
Janet