Familiar with Cardiac Ablation Surgery?

[raysnkaysmom]

Just a random topic as I love to talk(type)
I had a cardiac ablation done in May for Atrial Fibrillation. I came off my daily medication about 2 months ago, and so far so good. Only an occassional 'blip' in my heart rate, but no racing for extended amounts of time as before.
Odd question tho..yesterday, as I was riding the coasters at SixFlags....I HONESTLY felt sooo much pain in my chest, my heart was hurting that I had to stop riding. Am I a hypochondriac..or do you think that's possible??
I dont' expect many people have experience with this...just thought I'd put it out there

 

[mostyn17]

Is this the procedure where they splice your heart in several locations? If so, my gramdmother had this done along with a quad bipass, and 2 valves replaced. Her heart was off beat and skipping beats sometimes.

I would not recommend riding rollercoasters. We just came back form Disney World with her and would not even let her ride any dropping ride or coaster there. The only fast thing she rode was Test Track. She stuck to the shows and the snow white type rides. I just don't think it's worth risking your health for a 90 second thrill

Travis

 

[poohandwendy]

I had a RF ablation procedure 3 years ago. I remember being told that I would have pains as the heart healed in the places that were ablated (and I did). But, I don't remember it being 4 months out or precipitated by any specific activities. I would talk to your EP/cardio about it, just to be sure. Glad to hear your ablation was successful! Mine was not completely successful, but it is much better than it was before I had it done.

Is this the procedure where they splice your heart in several locations?

No, I think what you are talking about is the Maze procedure. Same idea, different approach. The ablation, (radio frequency catheter ablation) is when they cauterize(burn) the errant signals that are being triggered in the heart muscle which are causing the irregular rhythm. The Maze procedure is performed via open heart surgery(incisions instead of burns), the RF ablation is performed like a heart cath procedure. Since your grandmother was getting the bypass/valve replacement, doing the Maze procedure at that time would make sense.

 

[mom2grace]

Me too!!!

I had SVT most of my life. I was never on meds, although my HR was 260+, I could make it stop on my own.

But, the ablation was great! I had 10 places catuerized.

I still can feel my heart skip a beat, but it has not gone into tachycardia. I've been through 2 pregnancies since my ablation in 2000.

I *think* I am more sensitive to caffeine now, that's when I notice the skips most.

But I never have pain.

Definitely talk to your dr.

Did you have atrial fib or ventrical fib?? Atrial fib can be really dangerous!!

 

[Mermaid02]

My dh had this in 1990 after suffering from Wolff Parkinson White's disease his whole life.... occasionally he gets out of rhythm, but for the most part he has no problems!!

 

[poohandwendy]

Did you have atrial fib or ventrical fib?? Atrial fib can be really dangerous!!

Ventricular Fibrillation is life threatening and needs to be treated immediately, it is an emergent situation. Atrial Fibrillation can be dangerous over time because it puts you at risk for stroke/clots.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I was diagnosed while I was pregnant in 2000 with atrial fib...although I remember having it since I was at least 12 or 13. It just took that long to catch it on EKG or the monitors. After I was reading the paperwork on my surgery, they labeled it as tachycardia...so who knows! I lost my health insurance shortly after the procedure, so haven't gone back to check on it. That's why I had to wean myself off my lopressor meds...but I did clear it with the doc.
I still have some irregular beats, but overall, it's noticeably better. For the first month or two...my chest seemed TIGHT, and that has gotten better too... but coasters never bothered me before...didn't think they would now!!
Anyways...they were going to do a PVI (pulmonary vein isolation) to find the area causing the rapid heart rhythem, but when they inserted the catheders (via thigh and neck) my heart when straight into A-Fib, so he fixed what he 'thought' to be the troublespot...and said that was a much easier procedure than he planned, though I may have to go in for another if it didn't work!! Lemme tell ya, if it didn't work...no way would I go again. The part AFTER the surgery...of having to lay still on your back (which I have pain in my back anyways) for 10-12 hrs with weights on the intrusion spots was about as painful as labor!!
ANyways...done rambling Thanks for all your words and advice!