Just wanted to ask here brave ablation veterans if anybody had to undergo "CT Angiogram of the heart for pulmonary vein mapping" and "trans esophageal echocardiogram" testing before ablation? I am scheduled for my first ablation next week and was told to undergo above tests before the procedure.
I don't remember anybody mentioning those procedures here and wonder how common they are. Would very much appreciate your responses.
Yes, I had a coronary CT scan/angiogram a week or so before my ablations. It’s an odd sensation when they push the dye into your veins. They tell you that you’ll feel like you’ve wet your pants but don’t worry, you haven’t. I had the TOEs done immediately prior to the ablations whilst under general anaesthetic. In August my ablation was abandoned because they found a clot in my heart. I’m in Australia so I don’t know if things are different in other parts of the world.
Thank you Kaz for sharing your experience. Can you please tell what does TOEs mean - this terminology is new to me. By the way I am in the US and feel so fortunate to learn opinions of people from around the world.
Sorry, TOE is the acronym for transoesophageal echocardiogram. This is a great forum and I too have learnt a lot here. All the best x
I don't think that this is common practice in the UK, I certainly had neither CT Angiogram or TOE prior to my ablation.
Depends on EP centre MIke. My last in 2008 had both .
Me neither. I was unlucky with my 2nd ablation because they caught my venous artery and had problems stopping the blood. Someone had to sit over me applying pressure to stop the bleeding which caused more problems. I had to have a thrombin injection for a pseudo aneurism so no more ablations for me even though afib is back.
I did - in St Thomas’ in London
I didn't have them in Liverpool either. I did ask why I hadn't had a TOE at the start of my ablation and was told that it was because I had an anaesthetic tube in place already.
Yes, I had a CT scan/angiogram before my first first ablation. I'm in the UK.
I had all of those done as part of the ablation procedure, rather than prior - they are essential in order to do the procedure. Times may have changed and procedures differ from clinic to clinic. I’m in the UK, my ablations were in 2013 & 2014 though I had to travel 250 miles so everything was done on the same day.
PS - sorry I didn’t have the CT - I don’t think it was common practice at that time, it seemed to be established later. The mapping was by GPS x-ray.
Yes my husband had the dye CT scan done a week before the procedure we’re in the uk.
Quite normal in many EP centres. My first two without but by 2008 it was starting to go viral as EPs discovered that it reduced the risk by checking for clots using the TOE scanner and the CT scan helped mapping.
faridaro a TOE is effectively an ultrasound of your heart but if it’s done from the outside the ribs get in the way of the image so under local or general anaesthetic they run the ultrasound down your throat to get a better view.
I had a TOE at the time of my first diagnosis and CardioVersion to make sure I didn’t have clots lurking that may have been dislodged by the CV.
Nothing to worry about, it’s all part of a thorough care regime.
Ah yes, my husband had this done as well before he had a cardio version.
In the UK. Recently ie Nov 18 had minimally invasive repair to mitral valve. Had an angiogram and TOE beforehand. Angiogram takes about 20 mins. After local anaesthetic, they insert a catheter in an artery in the wrist and manoeuvre it to the heart, release dye and take xray pictures to see if there are any obstructions to blood flow. Main issue is takes time to seal the cut in the wrist artery. 4 hrs in my case using pressure bandage. TOE takes 10 to 15 mins. Some mild sedation then lie on side and the push a small device into your oesophagus which gives them much better pictures than echocardiogram. Go home an hour later. Some slight discomfort/irration next day but quickly goes.
I'm on bisoprolol. 2.5mg stops ectopic beats and slows heart rate but feel tired. Better taken at night. Now cut it down to 1.25mg and so far pulse steady. Hoping not to have to take it at some point.
I’m in the uk had a ct scan before both my ablations, ( mapping ) no caffeine from the night before, ( tea, decaf, choc etc) catheter inserted in back of hand to administer dye, in for max 20 mins, just a strange warm feeling of wetting yourself, but passes quickly. I then went shopping in Bournemouth, easy. No worries faridaro..........
I don’t think I had TOE but could have done just before ablation but was out cold for the three hours for the first ablation, then four hours for the second, so knew nothing about it.
Good luck x
I am same as Kaz747 on 8th Feb I went for second ablation at St Georges had TOE done but they found a clot so they abandoned ablation, now got to go back in 6/8weeks to have TOE done again this time not done with putting me under.
I thank my lucky stars they do this.
I too went to St Georges for my ablation, but they didn't do anything, not even an echo. It was a bit worrying as I had heard that angiogram, TOE, etc were important. I didn't have GA, but just had to lie there for about 3half hours, then about 4 hours until groin stopped bleeding.
Who did your ablation? I am under Dr Saba
It was Professor Behr. I was recommended to him by Professor Kaski my cardiologist there. Unfortunately Prof Kaski has now left and lectures in America and gone into other avenues which is such a pity as he was brilliant. Anyway he thought I needed an EP and put me on to Prof Behr. I have seen Dr Saba (I'm almost sure) at St Peters and thought he seemed really good. He was the one who put me on to Flecainide 50mg twice a day with 1.25 bisoprolol and he offered to do my ablation. After going on the meds at Christmas 2017 I felt absolutely great and didn't feel I needed an ablation, but I was in the system with Prof Behr and I carried on with him. Dr Saba is good. All the best.
Yes I did! Both were fine. Nothing to worry about!
Thank you all fellow a-fibbers for your kind responses which make me feel so much better!
TOE is essential, to find out if there is a clot before they proceed. They are looking after you.
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