Goodbye AF, hello PVC's.

[Mejulie69]

Hi all, it has been a while since I have posted here.

It’s good news and bad. The good news is that 18 months post-PVI-ablation, I am still totally clear of AF. The bad news is that I have developed ventricular ectopy (extended PVC episodes) in the last few months. The episodes come on around 1am and self-terminate around 15 hours later.

I have done plenty of research on the subject, and I am currently undergoing some tests, so we will see what happens.

I am not overly stressed about it, but slightly frustrated.

The reason I am writing this, predominantly, is to go on record for any other cyclists or runners who may experience similar PVC issues. If I ever get to the bottom of the problem, I will report back.

[Padayn01]

Sorry to be so vague, what are PVC's?

[Mejulie69 in reply to Padayn01]

Premature Ventricular Contractions. Basically the ventricles contract of their own accord before they are meant to. Generally considered benign, however so was AF once upon a time!

[Padayn01 in reply to Mejulie69]

Thanks for that and sorry for the questions but is not AF a benign condition? and also whats the difference between catheter ablation and PVI ablation?

[Mejulie69 in reply to Padayn01]

AF is no longer considered benign as it associates with increased stroke occurrence.

PVI means Pulmonary Vein Isolation. AF normally originates in the pulmonary veins, and so isolating them by ablation cures the AF. Catheter ablation is one technique used to carry out PVI ablations and other types of ablations.

[Padayn01 in reply to Mejulie69]

many thanks for this

[Mejulie69 in reply to Padayn01]

Feels a bit like AF... less “fish flopping around” but more “thumpy”.

[Steven12]

Thanks for sharing the information! Out of interest what level of exercise / training did you get back to after the abalation? I know we both came from exercise backgrounds and I'm 9 months behind you basically - 9 months since ablation and all good so far. I'm JUST getting back into exercise, but I'm really on the fence about staying as someone who jogs 5k twice a week or getting back to training up for triathlons etc. Doc says go for it, but I'm just kind of ... suspicious. I love having my heart ticking over nicely!

[Mejulie69 in reply to Steven12]

I am now back to full intensity. I ran the Great North Run yesterday with an average HR of 173 over 1 hour 43! Doctors are naturally conservative, so if they say “go for it”, I assume that means absolutely no additional risk.