Cardioversion/Ep study

[Art_lover2022]

I recently had an Ep study to determine whether I had SVT or Afib., even though I had been diagnosed in 2021 with Paroxysmal Afib. The cardiologist said it was a long shot but if it was SVT he would ablate it. Unfortunately throughout the procedure my heart went into Afib and they had to cardiovert three times to get my heart back to sinus rhythm. I don't know why he couldn't still ablate as he was already there? I was so drowsy when he came to see me that I couldn't ask questions. Since then I have felt terrible. No energy to do anything and very low as I've gone back to square one. Also my sleep is terrible, my heart wakes me up beating very fast and takes hours to calm down. I seem worse since and wish I hadn't agreed to the EP study. Has anyone experienced feeling worse after cardioversion?

[mjames1]

I can only speculate, but the question of why they didn't do an afib ablation has to be addressed to the ep who did the study.

An SVT ablation is a small procedure than an afib ablation and is on the right side of the heart. An afib PVI ablation is on the left side. It's possible they did not think the risk/reward ration was in your favor for the larger afib PVI, but only for the smaller SVT ablation. They may also not have had the time or setup (anesthesia, etc) for the afib ablation. All speculation and again, your ep will have the answer which is hopefully satisfactory. If not, a second opinion is warranted, because on face value, I'd have expected them to ablate your afib while they were in there.

As to why you don't feel well, an ep study and/or sedation can take a lot out of you, even without being ablated. It could be just that alone, or that combined with the cardioversions.

Jim

[Art_lover2022 in reply to mjames1]

Thank you for your answer. I agree that it is more invasive, and wouldn't have questioned it until an arrythmia nurse I talked to asked me why the doctor hadn't continued with the ablation. I was shocked and replied ' You'd have to ask Dr C'? I am now waiting for a Holter monitor to decide what's best going forward. I didn't expect to feel worse, and regret agreeing to the EP study as the cardioversion has messed with my heart rhythm.

[secondtry]

Have you considered a sleep apnoea test?

[Art_lover2022 in reply to secondtry]

Hi, yes I have been thinking about it. Maybe next step.