Ablation for ventricular tachycardia

[Prince123456]

Hi just wondered if theres anyone on here who’s had an ablation for ventricular tachycardia I have recently been diagnosed with NSVT no cardiomyopathy. Thanks

[Shcldavies]

I would go with the docs advise, during the ablation they carry out an EP study to definitively check your heart and be in a better position to fix it (I had it done for Flutter where my ventricles were going twice the rate they should). VT tends to be more serious that AT so the sooner you get it done the better. Recovery can be slow but well worth it.

[Prince123456 in reply to Shcldavies]

Thanks. Forgot to mention I’ve also had an icd fitted I also take 15 mg Bisoprolol but they are not stopping the PVCS which I get everyday very annoying and drain you.

[exbcmc]

I hate to sound ignorant, if you mean fast pulse, over 100, I did.👌

[Hidden]

I had an ablation for ventricular tachycardia on 9/10/19. I am a reasonably fit, not overweight , non smoking/drinking, 62 yearold woman.The procedure lasted 3 hours under sedation and was uncomfortable rather than painful. The team I had were wonderful. Sent home 2 days later on Magnesium Aspartate and Bisoprolol 1.25 daily. 3 weeks on I have had no episodes and feel great after initial tiredness and soreness/bruising in the groin area. Not yet back to doing yoga and zumba but walking every day and increasing distance. I wish you all the best if you have the procedure.

[Prince123456 in reply to Hidden]

Hello FernK

Can I ask do you have an icd fitted ? Did you get any pvcs before the ablation I’m getting lots of these throughout the day which I find very uncomfortable I’m currently taking 15mg bisoprolol which are not stopping the pvcs.

[Hidden]

Hi, no icd fitted, it was suggested that I might have one fitted as 'belt and braces', but later deemed unnecessary.

First diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia and hypomagnesiumia in July 19 after 24 hour holter monitor, called in as an emergency admission. Kept in for a week until stabilized, as 2.5 bisoprolol sent heart rate down to 28bpm. On discharge told to call ambulance if I had any further episodes of palpitations. The 1.25 bisoprolol seemed to keep everything under control whilst waiting for an EP appointment, until the end of September when I presented to A&E with incessant VT, heart rate of 164bpm. Transferred to Cardiac Centre where I underwent the ablation. My cardiologist did a lot of work on the right hand side of my heart but there is still work to be done on the left which he couldn't reach. He is hoping that the work he did will have done the trick. Not had any episodes since. The palpitations felt very severe and I also had dizziness. My Magnesium levels throughout have been 'low, normal', and the cardiologists at both hospitals were very concerned that my levels should be boosted and kept at a higher level at all times. Hope that helps.

Kind regards

[Prince123456 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply interesting. I’m in the uk and the problem is once they put you in an icd and give you meds they don’t seem to be bothered about the pvcs they tell me they are not dangerous just troublesome. I see my cardiologist in a few weeks I will ask for an ep study and an ablation if he refuses I’m going to pay a go private I just can’t carry on like this.

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

Hi FernK

I wanted to see how you are doing? I was searching for others who suffer from NSVT and came across your posts.

[Hidden in reply to Tiffw28]

Hi,

I am doing well thank you. I have just had a phone consultation (should have been a consultation at the hospital with the electrophysiologist but unable due to Covid) with the cardiac nurse who was excellent. I have been doing aerobic indoor walking ,2 miles a day plus daily outdoor walks throughout lockdown and feel fit. My blood pressure is good and resting heart rate is around 57bpm. I am to stay on the 'baby dose of 1.25 bisoprolol and continue taking Magnesium daily. I wasn't discharged and have a further appointment in January 21. A minor blip was during the hot weather when there was a thunder storm my heart rate dipped to 43 and I had a dizzy spell. Returned to normal the next day. The nurse assured me that it was due to barometric pressure, which made sense.

I have been very happy with the results of the procedure and am living life to the full.

Any questions I am happy to try to answer.

Kind regards,

Stay safe.

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

That’s so good to hear. I’m happy for you! How long did you have the NSVT before you got it fixed? I’m trying to learn about it since my doctors seem so whatever about it. Doesn’t seem whatever to me!

[Hidden in reply to Tiffw28]

Hi Tiffw28,

Thank you

I first presented at my GPs in April 2019 after suspecting something was amiss - severe palpitations and dizziness.

I had my ablation in October 2019 after a visit to A&E. I genuinely believe that I was in the right place at the right time as the doctor in A&E wouldn't let me go home until I had seen a cardiologist. The cardiologist conferred with one of the electrophysiologists at the nearby excellent Cardiac Centre and I was transferred. After 2 weeks as an in- patient there, I had the ablation.

Really the only thing my GP did was to refer me for a 24hour ecg. I am fortunate in not having any other underlying conditions .

Regards

[Tiffw28 in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow. That all worked out really well! I really hope they figure out what’s going on with me. I already have a EP cardiologist but it’s hard to put your faith in doctors sometimes. They aren’t all built the same that’s for sure.

[Hidden]

Hi, I am also in the uk, located in Lancashire. This has all been a quite quick journey for me- first saw my gp in April with palpitations, to ablation in October, I feel lucky. However, I gather ablation is not the answer to everything and I may still have to have further work done on the left side of my heart. I'm sure your cardiologist will discuss everything with you at your appointment.

All the best

[Tiffw28]

Hi Prince!

How have things been going since this post? I’m curious why you got fitted for ICD if you only have NSVT? Do you also have any other structural issues? I have been having a recent issue with NSVT and scared out of my mind. My doctor said he not worried but I don’t agree.

[Prince123456 in reply to Tiffw28]

Hi m8 my heart is structurally normal I’ve had all the tests done the only thing that showed up was late enhancement on the MRI scan which they suspected cardiac sarcoidosis at first but following a PET SCAN which didn’t show any inflammation they couldn’t diagnose sarcoidosis. My cardiologist advised me to have the ICD fitted has a safety net just in case I get any sustained vt I’m also taking 15mg of Bisoprolol but he said I could lower the dose to 10 mg because the meds are making me very tired. He also said that an ablation would be an option if the vt got really bad but so far so good.

[Tiffw28 in reply to Prince123456]

Oh wow. That’s a good doctor to take that extra precaution! So did you end up getting it? my doctor said they don’t put in ICDs unless someone is in danger but I think it should be used as a backup plan as well. If you know someone has a problem why wait for it to be a bigger issue?! I take toprol xl at the max dose so that’s kind of my umbrella for now. All of this heart stuff is exhausting

[Prince123456 in reply to Tiffw28]

Hi m8

Yes I had the ICD fitted last September

I feel a lot safer now with that fitted it just sits in the back ground if my heart beats too fast it will try and pace it back to normal rhythm if it fails to pace my heart then it delivers a shock. Thank the lord my ectopic beats have almost gone but if they do return and VT becomes more persistent then an ablation is another option.