Electrophysiology For Ectopic Beat Correction

[Prada47]

Being referred from one Cardiologist to another Cardiologistfor an Electrophysiology Study this is to determine if it is possible for an Ablation to correct my Ectopic Heart Beats. I have 1000s in a 24 hour period and Cardiologist suspects they are causing my Heart not to fill completely prior to pumping out ( Terminology rather Poor sorry ) I have had a recent Echocardiogram and Holter now I need another Holter to look for something else ? I do have Moderate to Severe Heart Failure but main symptom is Breathless. Stents in 2018 and CABG in 2015, M I in 1982. So history of Heart Problems even though in general I feel pretty good. Any one had this to correct Ectopic Beats ??

regards

[IanMK]

Hi,

My dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure was initially suspected to be being caused by a high ectopic burden and I had an EP study and RF ablation last July. I can tell you that it's nothing to worry about. I had a general anaesthetic ( some people have only sedation) and didn't need any pain relief after at all. The most painful part was when the dressings were checked at the catheter entry point in my groin as nobody bothered to shave me (tip: do it yourself beforehand).

The echocardiogram is to measure your ejection fraction and look for other structural issues. The Holter monitor is to see the extent and type of your arrhythmia and to get an indication of the source. The EP study is to determine the precise source of your ectopics. The procedure has a high probability of success, but in my case, it was unsuccessful as a result of the awkward location of ectopics source. However, a subsequent course of medication to suppress my arrhythmia resulted in my ejection fraction improving from just over 20 % to just under 50%, so the initial suspicion regarding my heart failure is confirmed. I am planning to have a further ablation shortly but because of the difficult location of the aberrant source, there is a higher risk of damaging the required pathways so there is a chance that I may need a pacemaker after.

Like you, I presently have a problem with shortness of breath and I want to get back to my previous level of activity.

You will find a lot more discussion regarding arrhythmias and ablations in the Arrhythmia Alliance and the AF Association communities here on Healthunlocked.

Take care and all the best.

Ian

[Prada47 in reply to IanMK]

Thank you Ian for your reply,

Not sure if a high burden of Ectopic beats comes under AF ??. Not been down the route yet of Ablation but Cardiologist says I am at the end of the road with Medication ! Interesting to read that it was suspected that the High Burden of Ectopic Beats was causing other problems as that seems to be the route my Cardiologist is going down. It was originally thought that the breathless was coming from Heart Failure LV Dysfunction, but because I had no improvement when on Entresto now need the E P Study. Thanks for reassuring words regarding procedure. My EF is currently between 30/40% up from 27% being the Low point.

[IanMK in reply to Prada47]

AF is characterised as having an “irregularly irregular” rhythm. As I understand it, you often can’t make out the heart beat on an ECG. AF is a very common condition and occasionally people aren’t always aware they have it.

My arrhythmia was suppressed by a period on amiodarone and I was offered the option of remaining on this. However, I wasn’t at all comfortable with the idea of staying on this particular medication for life (I’m 64 and reasonably fit and active).

My EF was around 27% at one point and was 47% at the end of my amiodarone trial. I don’t know what it is at present.

[Prada47 in reply to IanMK]

Hi Ian

Currently on10mg Bisoprolol and it's not sorting out the ectopic beats !!! I will be 72 in September and said to the Heart Nurse I would prefer to go down the option routes now, rather than when I get older ( should I get Older lol ) thanks again

[Torvi]

Hi Prada

Please let me know how you get on, I am plagued with ectopic and exhaustion, I have never been offered this test , I will talk to my Cardiologist, he tells me I just have to live with it .

Torvi