Anyone diagnosed with both SVT and Afib

[mjames1]

Wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with both SVT and Afib. And if so could you provide a little history including how it was treated. If you decided to have an ablation, did you have an SVT ablation (right side of heart), an afib ablation (left side of heart) or a combination SVT and Afib ablation (both sides of heart).

I have had afib episodes every ten years ago since my early 40's but recently (I'm 70 now) I started having SVT episodes a couple of times a week. Looking into both meds and ablation.

Jim

[Kaz747]

Hi Jim

I was originally diagnosed with SVT 2 years ago after I’d had ankle surgery. I had 2 unsuccessful ablations. When they did the second one they discovered there was more that one spot that was misbehaving so they diagnosed Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia and we’re happy to keep treating me with drugs. Then in April I ended up in hospital with Atrial Flutter and had a cardioversion. I had a 7 day monitor and they also picked up AFib and 3 weeks ago I ended up in hospital again with a full blown AFib attack. Next month I’m having ablations for AFib and AFlutter. Hopefully it gets rid of any SVT/MAT problems as well. I’m 54 and have a lot of living to do. At the moment I feel like my life is on hold.

[mjames1 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks Kaz. Did the SVT/MAT then continue after the second ablation or was it just afluter and afib? Also, did you ever have aflutter or afib before the ablations? Thanks.

[Kaz747 in reply to mjames1]

Yes it did continue after the ablations. I was only recently diagnosed (via the 7 day monitor) with AFib and flutter so it’s hard to know if I had them before the ablations and just wasn’t aware or if they developed after. Up until my 2 recent events I was usually in NSR when I saw the doctors. When I was originally diagnosed with SVT I was prescribed Verapamil, then switched to Flecainide and then to Sotalol after my last ablation in June last year. My dosage has gone up a couple of times but I’m still having breakthrough episodes of everything. My EP has described them as very aggressive arrhythmias - lucky me ☺️

[mjames1 in reply to Kaz747]

I took Dilitiazem (cardizem) for a short while but my SVT's also broke through. What is the frequency and duration of your SVT episodes? I was having them 3-4 a week for between 5-10 minutes but for the past three weeks no episodes. I understand the drugs haven't stopped your episodes but have they helped in terms or duration and frequency? And if so, which have helped the most.

Jim

[Kaz747 in reply to mjames1]

I was having a few episodes a day, doe quite short and others lasting for hours. Prior to April if I had an episode that didn’t settle I’d take another Sotalol (80mg) and it usually settles in an hour or so. That’s what I tried in April when I thought it was SVT (150bpm) but after 2 days, with extra medication doing nothing, I went to the GP then hospital and was diagnosed with AFlutter. The Sotalol (120mg twice daily) has controlled things better than Verapamil or Flecainide. Just hoping next month’s procedures will sort things out. Hopefully yours will get sorted too 😄

[mjames1 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks Kaz, good luck with your upcoming ablation.

[Kaz747 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim, as it happens, not long after writing my last post my heart went crazy again. I’m now back in hospital being admitted for an overnight stay. Initially it was AFlutter and now I’m in AFib. Will see what my specialist says in the morning.