Did I have an ablation without knowing? In 2002 heart rate 260+ bpm went local VA hospital, stayed there a week then was ambulanced 40 miles to west hollywood VA hospital. Had several tests there but I'm confused about something. By reading others posts I think I might of had an ablation. Was wheeled into room where I was told they were going to try and speed my heart up and slow it down to find out where the problem was. They put s wire in through my groin but was not put to sleep but was told if I felt my heart racing and it bothered me to let them know and they would give me a shot to allow me to sleep of which I did when I felt my heart racing. When I awoke I was in my room and stayed in the hospital for another 2 weeks and finally released to go home. No one ever told me I had an ablation but from reading a lot of posts on the forum it sure sounds like I did. What do you guys think?
DID I HAVE AN ABLATION AND WASN'T TOLD? - Atrial Fibrillati...
DID I HAVE AN ABLATION AND WASN'T TOLD?
Yes, sounds like they did an ep study which in most cases results in an ablation. I guess the good news is you didn't have to stress over whether or not to get one like a lot of us 
Don't know what the record keeping is like in the VA but maybe you could request your chart. So, have you had any afib episodes since?
Jim
Hello mjames1. Yes I am now on Amiodarone for about 5 years now. When I left the VA I was put on, at the time it was a study drug (Tikosyn). Everything was great for about 25 years, was running 7 miles a day in the sand, training other boxers, sparring with them, just very active with very few problems at all. Then all of a sudden heart started in afib again went to VA hosp. and the EP took me off of Tikosyn and put me on Amiodarone and said this was a medication of last resort before an ablation or pacemaker. My afib is pretty much under control, I now go into afib every 2 or 3 days lasts for 24 hours then converts on it's own. Been to the emergency room many times while in afib once when heart rate was 180 but the DR wasn't even phased, told he'd seen heart rates over 200 many times so now I just ride it out when afib happens. My question is aren't I supposed to agree to an ablation rather than just having it done? Any way afib seems under control for about 5 years now, like I stated earlier you can set your watch by when the episodes are going to occur and I'm just thankful because I know it could be a lot worse. Thank You for responding, Have a Blessed day.
"My afib is pretty much under control, I now go into afib every 2 or 3 days lasts for 24 hours then converts on it's own."
I wouldn't call that 'under control'.
I’m a little surprised they would do an ablation without your consent, Here in the U.K. you would be provided with an overview of the risks and asked to sign a consent form.
I was even put on Tikosyn (Dofetelide) a new study drug at the time without being asked if I wanted to be in the study. I just trusted the Dr. who was taking care of me who went on to become one of the top doctors in the world on afib. Dr. Phillip Sager. Just thankful it all turned out alright. Have a Blessed Day
That's also the way it is in the US. This case is an outlier.
There has been a lot of discussion over the last couple of days about the differences in healthcare provision between the UK and America and I suspect it has only scratched the surface, MummyLuv raises an important point about patient consent but we are talking about twenty years ago so it might not be that easy to remember. I too think you had an EP study and if the investigation finds evidence of having AF then they generally will ablate on the basis that they have already done 2/3 of the work. That said, if we are talking about 20 years ago, the situation was probably different to what happens now. Clearly we have no idea but it seems extraordinary that you were not presented with information about what was done during the procedure. However, it sounds as if you are coping OK……..
After many trips to the emergency room you learn what normal for the situation and what isn't and it's the isn'ts I look out for. Thank You for your reply
Flapjack, We have more consent forms to sign then you can count. This case was an outlier.
Probably showing my ignorance, but what’s an outlier? The general view over here is that litigation was invented in America 😉
Basically means that this case is highly unusual. Actually illegal, and not at all typical of US medicine, whatever else you may think of how we do things here. Like in the UK, we have to consent to procedures in writing. For example, when I had my nuclear stress test, a cardiologist popped in, read me the disclosures and then had me sign the forms. Would have be nice had he stayed for the actual test but that was left to the nurse. LOL.
Jim
The only comment I would make is that 20 years ago ablation was a very rare occurrence. The very first ablations I believe were done in France around 1994 .
My understanding is that performing a procedure without consent could leave the doctors and hospital open for being sued for assault. I think even more than UK, the US is very hot legally on hospital procedures.
Could it be that you signed consent without remembering simply because you trusted the doctor? It does sound as though you had at least an EP study but without accessing your records it would be impossible to say going from your description. I’m afraid I would have wanted chapter and verse on what, where, risks and benefits before consenting. I think it would be useful for you to find out exactly what was done as it may have a bearing on future treatments.
Best wishes
Sounds more like an exploratory look? Why not ask them? (Must be a reason why not or you wouldn’t be asking the forum?) good lick
Sounds the same but maybe an investigation. Do you have access to your medical history?
Ask your doctor??
You mentioned the Dr. Phillip Sager. Looks like you may not be the only one around that time period. You might consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice law, or at the very least getting your medical records, I would just not sign any documents regarding those records without first talking to an attorney.
"The investigation will also cover 1995 ethics violations in cardiology research reported last week by The Times. The most serious violations involved Dr. Philip T. Sager, who conducted or oversaw electrophysiology research on four patients without first obtaining legally required informed consent, according to an internal hospital document."
latimes.com/archives/la-xpm...
Thank you very much mjames1. I was one of those people as I remember receiving a couple of emails and a phone call from Dr. Sager mentioning the VA was accusing him of something and if I could contact them and tell them it was all right, which I didn't. I didn't understand any of what he said, I just wanted to get on with my life. As it turn's out I just turned 76 and am in reasonably acceptable health and after mulling it over I was wrong, I was diagnosed with afib in 1992 not 2002 as stated earlier. I appreciate you sending me the link to the article in the Times, when I started reading it I started feeling kind of strange, I know without a doubt I was one of those people. I remember I was so afraid that when Dr. Sager was visiting me in my room I started to feel my heart racing and I grabbed his hand and thought I was going to die I felt light headed. That incident could be why he did what he did, in my case anyway. Anyway at my age and having no one to leave anything to I'll just let it alone knowing "GOD" is the one who oversaw everything. Thank You again, have a Blessed Day.
What you say, makes sense. The only question may be, did he do an ablation or just an ep study? If your current doctor thinks that would help your current treatment, maybe contact the doctor. If not, like you say, leave it alone,
Jim
Thank you so much mjames1, brought back a little deja vu reading the Times editorial.
Are you on blood thinners?
yes apixaban and baby aspirin but I had a heart attack in 2017.
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