SVT & Left Bundle Branch Block

[Gem-W]

Hi - just wondering has experienced anything similar:

Im 34 & was diagnosed with SVT at age 12 - they attempted ablation at 16 as numerous medications failed to control it but it wasnt successful. I was put on sotalol 80mg am & pm which I have been on & its stopped any svt attacks since. When I was pregnant 3 years ago was questioned why I was no longer under a heart specialist & referred back to one for reviewing (ecg, echocardiogram, etc) & changed onto Bisoprolol as it was classed as a newer safer drug. I had a severe SVT attack a couple of months later & insisted to go back on the sotalol even though my consultant was concerned about the risks of long term QT syndrome & was put on the waiting list for the ablation procedure again as I was assured now it would 95% be successful.

I went in on Monday for the ablation (after a terrifying 3 days off the sotalol) but my ecg has now identified I have left Bundle branch block- something that has developed in the last 12months. Further tests were done on mon, echocardiogram showed no changes structurally from last year & I went back in yesterday morning for the ablation - the specialist didn't do it he carried out the heart mapping/ep study, got my heart in to svt & put a camera down my throat but was concerned that because they don't yet know the cause on the left Bundle branch block he didn't want to proceed with the ablation for the svt which he said now would be simple enough to do.

I'm absolutely gutted - going in hoping to be cured & off meds & coming away knowing something else is now wrong with my heart.

I'm awaiting an MRI scan & then back to the consultant to see what happens next but just so worried as no one as fully discussed the implications etc of the LBBB at my age.

Any experiences or extra information from a personal level would be greatly received

[Recoder_Bill]

Hi Gem-W,

I'm sorry I don't have a similar situation to yours, so I can't help you other than to say, it sounds like you have at least got your cardiologist fired up and on the case and that can only be good.

I would like to ask you a question about your experience with bisoprolol though. You said that you were on sotalol and that you were changed to Bisoprolol as it was classed as a newer safer drug but that this was not an entirely successful development for you!!

I have Atrial Fibrilation (AF) which I believe is classed as a form of Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). I was medicated with dilitiazem to slow my heart rate down and warfarin to protect against a possible stroke. I was getting along fine with no attacks or noticable side effects. However I was changed to bisoprolol and I really noticed the side effects of that! I was wacked out all the time, depressed, cold hands, sleep issues, etc. I asked my cardiologist to change me back to dilitiazem and he was not sympathetic but he did half my dose of bisoprolol and that's eased things a little but my heart rate and blood pressure have risen a tad, so I'm not best pleased.

My question to you is: did your cardiologist change you back to sotalol?

If so did that alleviate your concerns?

Regards,

Phil.

[Gem-W in reply to Recoder_Bill]

Hi Phil - yes my cardiologist changed me back after nearly begging him to & agreeing to go on the waiting list for the ablation procedure & knowing I'd have to have more regular ecgs.

Unfortunately I get/got the side effects you've stated on both medications but suppose I just have more faith in the sotalol as I've been on it for so long & during pregnancy & child birth attack free!!

I had started feeling more irregularities over the last few months (not an svt attack) but now knowing about the LBBB maybe that has something to do with it.

I'd go back to your cardiologist if your not happy or even seek a second opinion about your meds - everyone has slightly different views on what is best!

Good luck

[Recoder_Bill in reply to Gem-W]

Thanks for that Gem-W.

It's a minefield isn't it!

You'd think that once you are "under the care of" a certain doctor that you could just leave them to it and that the doctor would seek out what is best for you and maybe they do that but why then do so many of us feel we have to watch 'em like hawks and research the topic like we were med students? It seems to me that unless you stay on top of what's going on "they" will not feel the need to give you a thorough understanding of what's going on with you. Unless I understand as well as I'm able to with my non-medically trained brain I'm afraid I just make a nusiance of my self ... some doctors like and encourage that, some don't.

You are right though, I do need to push it a bit and once I've got some other stuff out of the way and things have settled a bit I shall.

I'm an ancient 67 years but at your youthfull age you shouldn't have to suffer at all, I fervently hope all turns out well for you Gem.

Regards,

Phil.

[Gem-W in reply to Recoder_Bill]

Thank you - you too!