Ablation candidate criteria - UK.

[plm1]

I saw a cardiologist recently who said I could have an ablation for SVTs and referred me to a specialist, whom I'm seeing the day after tomorrow. The specialist's appointment letter referred to "discussing whether I was a suitable candidate".

Does anyone know the criteria for having the procedure? I am feeling tense about being turned down and if I know why that might happen in advance I will be able to respond better. I can accept it if I can understand it and need to do this, at least a little, in advance of the appointment.

[rosyG]

I think they have found ablation to be very successful for SVTs and the criteria is if you have symptons that are troublesome. I have looked more at ablation for AF and the guidance there seems to have changed recently so that if patients chose it over medication it can be done- again it depends on symptons- As ablation for SVTs is more straightforward I don't think you should have difficulty getting agreement unless you don't have any symptons. Hope all goes well

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Plm

I agree with Rosy completely, as I understand it, SVTs are easier to "ablate" and if you have symptoms it's all about the balance of symptoms versus the procedure and they will talk you through that.

Good luck

Ian

[plm1]

Thank you both. That's what I needed.

[lizzily]

Hi plm1

Sorry to put a bit of a damper into the discussion but just be prepared because NICE guidelines still say you have to have "failed" with anti arrhythmic drug treatment before they will sanction ablation for AF. It's the European Soc. of Cardio's that is more liberal and puts patients choice before anti arrhythmics based on several studies. I've had to argue the toss with my GP to get a referral to an EP because of this, in spite of the fact that many EP's in the UK seem to be getting round the NICE guidelines. There's a great transcript on the AFA web site from the Heart Rhythm Congress if you need proof of the E.S.C's guidelines. At last I'm off to see the EP of my choice in February. It's taken a year to get here!! Good luck, Liz

[gillyflower13]

Hi pml1 I would really like to know about your AF history. My GP seems to think that I cannot have ablation - Dr in a local hsp said I may be able to. Where and who referred you in the first place? Hope all goes well if you do have it done.

[Hidden in reply to gillyflower13]

Hi, here's a summary of my case with AF. I was diagnosed in June 2012, 4 days in hospital, several outpatient visits to various cardiologists, 2/ 24 hour heart monitors, both AF free. I was initially on a beta blocker and asked my cardio if it was possible to change to a non beta blocker? He prescribed me onto Adizem 120mg, once a day. 12 months later I asked my GP., if I could come off medication altogether, he referred me back to hospital cardiologist, who had me on a 7 day heart monitor, which when the data was looked at it showed a 4% incidence of AF., so he referred me to an EP., now 3 months later as the ECG., showed AF., whilst I was on medication, I'm having a cryo ablation, hopefully to fix this once and for all, hopefully.