A-Fib during a SVT ablation

[Bob_B]

During a recent attempt for a SVT ablation, while trying to put me into SVT, I went into A-Fib. This happen twice. The decision was made to abort the ablation. What might have caused the A-Fib during this ablation? I'm now wearing a holter monitor for 30 days, thinking it might be A-Fib?

[Rellim296]

This happened to me too. I imagine my heart was objecting to the interference, although I had had to drop my beta blocker before the procedure and it wasn't really too happy about that. I had been diagnosed with paroxysmal SVT. They tried cardioversion but my heart flipped back into AF every time, so they tried flecainide. They did ablate a couple of pathways, but basically it was not going well and I think they gave up quite quickly.

After that I took 100mgs of flecainide twice a day for 3 months and had no arrhythmia at all, but went into AF after dropping down to 50mgs x 2 per day. I was fine on 100mgs x 2 for a year and then AF crept in now and then. With hindsight I wish I had been offered a second ablation instead of relying on so much flecainide.

[Bob_B in reply to Rellim296]

Thanks Rellim296,

I'm waiting for the 30 day heart monitor. Hopefully that will shed more light on this situation. I originally wore an event monitor for 14 days, that picked up the SVT. I have a strong family history of cardiac disease, both parents had heart attacks, mother had a pacemaker and died of a massive stroke. I haven't smoked in over 30 years, watch my diet ( lost 120 lbs. 10 years ago) and exercise. So hopefully my risk factors are low. I do have hyperlipidemia, but not bad and controlled with a low dose statin.

[Rellim296 in reply to Bob_B]

Forewarned is forearmed and you've wisely taken steps to safeguard your health.

30 days should give a good indication of the state of play.

[Bob_B]

Yes, thank you. I never thought I would be saying I hope this 30 monitor shows something, but I am. Not knowing if it's SVT or A-Fib is concerning.

[Rellim296 in reply to Bob_B]

These days I tend to start with A Fib and it then settles, becomes less irregular and drifts into tachycardia. I find it quite hard to tell when I get back to normal rhythm.

You can buy personal ECG monitors - put Kardia in the Search AF Association box

[Bob_B in reply to Rellim296]

Thanks for the info on personal ECG. I'm on a beta blocker, heart rate normal, yet still feel the palpitation, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc..

[Rellim296 in reply to Bob_B]

I hope your monitor will record what's going on and you can get appropriate treatment that will improve things for you.

[Maggimunro]

The same thing happened to me Bob, but they only treated my SVT during the first ablation. The EP who did it said he didn't treat the AFib during the procedure since, apparently, treating the SVT can sometimes sort out the Afib. Not so in my case and I needed another two ablations to sort out the Afib.

[Bob_B]

Hi Maggi, the EP I had aborted the procedure completely. He didn't come in and explain to me why he aborted or what he thought cause me to go into A-Fib instead of SVT. Hopefully the 30 day monitor will show something and I can be treated properly. Thanks for the information on your experience. BTW looking for another EP...

[Bob_B]

I was rushed into the emergency room on Thursday, in A-Fib with heart rate in the 180's. Two doses of metoprolol IV,I finally came out of A-Fib. The ER doctor thinks it was from the aborted ablation on Tuesday, since I went into A-Fib twice then. I'm getting a 30 monitor tomorrow. Tweaked the meds yet still having some episodes, mild compared to Thursday. Does anyone feel the ER doctor is correct with the assumption of A-Fib cause from the aborted ablation?