CHB post AVNRT Ablasion

I'm on day 21 and I am still in a CHB status post a AVNRT ablasion. I am to follow up with my EP Oct. 22 with hopes that I still have some swelling and may have a chance of coming out of it however I'm not so optomistic with this much time passing. I'm still handling the block okay with my rate 48-65 max but a little anxious about waiting so long before going ahead with the pacemaker. I'm just going to take one day at a time and if it gets to a point I can't handle it my doc said just to call. My atrial rate runs just about double my ventricle rate, so does this mean my resting rate will be around 100-115 consistently when the pacer is placed. After a pacer is placed, when will I be able to return to work, I'm an RN however work on the computer system 4 out of 5 days a week. He is going to place the pacer in my axillary area, under breest tissue (if needed) hopefully so it will be cosmetically better than on the chest, has anyone had this placement before. Sorry I'm rambling, just getting a little anxious.
Thanks everyone,
Tiffany

3 Comments

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2012-09-25 10:09:07

Your pulse may go up to 100-115 with the pm, but probably not, or at least not for long. It's more likely it will settle down once the heart is in sync again.

If you have it done on a Friday you should be back at a desk job by early to the middle of the next week. We all heal at different rates and have different tolerances for pain, though, so it's hard to predict. We have very limited lifting and no raising the arm above shoulder level for 4-6 weeks after, not sure what you do on the 5th day but you'll need to be careful of the leads for a few weeks. I felt pretty good and was ready to get back to routine again after a few days, but was still tired and napped most days so I worked part time before jumping back into full time.

Mine is under the breast, LOVE it! Healing is a bit longer since it's deeper but it wasn't worse, imo, just took longer to feel up to full activity after. I got by on Tylenol after the first few days. No visible lump or scar, I can carry a heavy backpack (love to hike) and seatbelts never rub. It was a month or so until I felt up to putting on a bra so I wore the tank tops with built in shelf bras under loose blouses, less contorting while I was still sore.

How are you feeling being in 2:1 block all the time?? I'd think it's wiping you out. Did the EP have any idea how long it might take to heal on your own if you're going to? Fingers crossed it still works out on its own and you don't need the pm! If you have more questions about the surgery or healing, don't be shy.

HR with pacer

by ElectricFrank - 2012-09-25 11:09:22

The pacemaker just completes the path from your atrium to ventricle so your HR will be the same as the ventricle rate.

Your atrial rate now is likely responding to the low ventricle rate. It's sensing the low output due to the block and is trying to correct for it.

frank

Update

by TRL28 - 2012-09-30 05:09:02

Thanks Tracey and Frank. I actually don't feel as bad as I thought I would be. I become short of breathe pretty easily, a little tireder than usual and have palpitations on and off but this has been improving with time. I did have an episode this past Wednesday for about 20 minutes where I become flushed, shackey and lightheaded but did resolve without a syncopal episode and I felt much better after I guzzled some water down. I had an EKG done right after the episode and I was still in complete heart block but rate maintained in the 50's so I'm not sure what happened. Anyways my doctor called today and we are going to go forth with the pacemaker. I'm a little nervous but this site has really eased my nerves and i'm just ready to get back to my life!

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