Will a pacemaker help?

I had my mitral valve repaired and also the Maze procedure done in 2002. since then I have had numerous cardioversions and 3 ablations. I am still having Afib and flutter problems. My cardiologist wants to put in a pacemaker and then 2 weeks later do an AV node ablation. I know I will probably need to continue a beta blocker but I would like to know if anyone has experience with this scenario? My hope is the AV node ablation will help control the afib and flutter and I won't need an antiarrythmia drug as well. Thanks for any help anyone can give

Judy S

2 Comments

AV total dependant

by jeanmarie - 2007-07-22 09:07:35

Judy, I did not have mitral valve problems, but have had numerous cardiversions and 3 ablations, on DEc. 15, 2006, had the AV node ablation which made me totally pacemaker dependent...I still have flutter feeling sometimes, but feel better then in the past 5 years when they first put in pacemaker, have had 2 new pacemakers and new wires so many times forgot how many...good luck to you and god bless I know you will be as good as new
Jeanmarie

AV totally dependent too!

by traeh - 2007-07-25 05:07:08

Hi Judy S

I am sorry to hear of your problems over the past 5 years. I can empathise entirely as I have had very similar problems in the recent past. I too have had 3 ablations viz left atrial catheter ablation (cf Maze procedure), right atrial ablation for non isthmus dependent flutter, then AV node ablation with permanent pacemker insertion. I still need to take small doses of beta blocker (metoprolol) and anti arrhythmic (flecainide)
to control flutter and anti coagulant (warfarin) to maintain my INR within range.

Post pm insertion I was initially in paroxysmal a-fib but over time this has unfortunately become almost 100%.
My pm clinic has noe switched off my atrial lead and my heartrate is now solely determined by my Medtronics Kappa pacing my ventricals. This I find quite adequate for activities of daily living. The big plus is that I have none of the old palpitation symptoms ie I am no longer aware of my heart thumping, fluttering or beating irregularly. In that sense, te Av node ablation 'controls' my a-fib/flutter but only successful drug/procedural intervention can restore the atria to sinus rhythm.

Very best of luck to you, and please let us know how you get on

traeh

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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