Catheter Ablation

My husband is scheduled for a catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia. His ICD has gone off approximately 5 times in the last three months. Has anyone had this procedure done and if so, what were the results. There will be three EP's in attandance as well as a representative from the mapping company. I am worried sick and would appreciate hearing from anyone who can provide some insight into the procedure. Thank you very much.

2 Comments

I had it done...

by turboz24 - 2008-07-16 08:07:28

I had the ablation for VT myself. I actually had an initial EP study, the location was found, but that doc didn't have the tools, skill, or time to proceed, so I ended up with the ICD. It wasn't until the 3rd shock in a couple of months that I swapped Doctors and found one who could do the procedure.

As of now, the VT's are gone. I still had a few blips of Afib, but I'm hoping that was just me adjusting to the reduced medications. I definately would have it done again if I had to, I just hate the medications they put you on for VT. I would hope that if I have no recurrance after XXX time, that I could eventually see the ICD not replaced at some point also.

VT ablation

by fireryan - 2008-07-18 07:07:19

Sjohnson,

The VT ablation procedure can be difficult, however with an Electrophysiologist (EP) that has the knowledge and experience it can be very successful.
I was getting shocked once a month on average and at times could barely walk without getting dizzy.
The hard thing about VT ablation is the mapping. You see, the heart needs to be in the state of "VT" in order to see where the electrical impulses that are causing the problem. The big problem with this issue is that when the patient is induced into VT the Blood Pressure is very low. This translates into the blood not reaching the brain or even other vital organs at the proper pressure it normally does where damage is caused.
My first ablation the EP could not map due to hemodynamic instability, in other words low blood pressure to make it simple. He decided to abort the procedure in "fear" of causing harm.
I pursued another option because I felt it deserved a true "expert."
I found Dr. Vivek Ready who is nationally, and internationally known practicing in Boston however now he is in Miami.
I was on the table 10 hours. I awoke to some good news. He had successfully mapped my VT and found 8 spots which he got 6 of. The other two were tricky to get to and not promising to cause future VT.
I was sore for a week in my groin area, however it was tolerable. I did however have some painful pericarditis = inflamation around the heart from a spot that was located and ablated using a percutaneous approach (MAKE SURE THE DOCTORS CAN DO THIS TECHNIQUE!!!) If I went anywhere else they would have missed it.
The pain from the procedure was eleminated with a corticosteroid (Madrol) used for a month due to having to taper off the medication.
Did it work? Well thank the Lord (it was his work) that so far I definetely feel better, and no shocks. I do still get nasty PVC's at times, and suffer from anxiety as well.
I think I had one episode of A fib since because I felt horrible one morning, but it resolved itself over time and the devic had no "events" when interrogated.
I am excited for you and your husband. VT ablations are not that common and I just said a prayer for a successfull procedure.
If you need any other info that I may help I am here.
ryanmtown@hotmail.com
Remeber to look into the "Percutaneous Approach"
Its a fancy word for "through the skin."

May the Lord keep you,

Ryan
Firefighter/Paramedic

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