AV NODE ABLATION

[Bond33]

Has anyone had one of these?

It has been recommended to me by Cardiologist but means the pacemaker takes over the role of keeping me alive.

[Denise2011]

I've only had my pacemaker since 8th and am having horrendous problems with PVC's. I thought it was going to solve 'everything', but it doesn't apparently. I know that when I had my pre-surgery chat with the arrhythmia nurse, she said that they would prefer not to give me an ablation of the av node, because then the heart is 100% reliant on the pacemaker. I spoke to the hospital this morning and it looks as though that I might have to go down that route. Can I ask please, is it not solving all your problems as well?

[Bond33 in reply to Denise2011]

Hi Denise, the Cardiologist is saying this is the last thing left as I already have pacemaker but the AF/Tachycardia/Flutter continues to come back and he is not prepared to do a cardioversion. I have been on Bisoporol and am currently using Adizem but they really have no significant effect.I was trying to research this because the procedure is irreversible and one is totally dependent on the pacemaker.

Regards, David

[Denise2011 in reply to Bond33]

Hi David,

Well it looks as though it's both of us then. Certainly that's what it seems right now. To be honest that frightens me, because if the pacemaker fails .... I know! I was on Bisoprolol and struggled for 7 years and no one took any notice. I was always feeling light headed and I have the recordings since I bought my own handheld ECG machine in 2016 and the thing is this, I had MORE tachycardia events when I was on Bisoprolol. Came off Bisoprolol 2 years ago and I felt great, but my heart has deteriorated and even though it was quiet at first,

I've done an awful lot of research, following access to Echo Cardiogram reports (2017) and in there is shows that I have problems with my valves. Mitral and Aorta. The interesting thing is this and that is having problems with these valves can cause our arrhythmias. I learned also that correct the valves and the arrhythmias are sorted.

My new consultant says they are fine and will not share my reports with me. I know they are not fine. Have you got a copy of your Echo, David? David, you must have angina as well do you?

Regards, Denise.

[Bond33 in reply to Denise2011]

Hi Denise, no I don't have angina, just the AF/Tachycardia.The echo done in London was OK but the heart size increased but apparently that is normal with AF.

I have no other medical problems.

The approach I am adopting: since the pacemaker will be key I have contacted the company, Medtronic in my case and have asked how reliable etc it will be. If i am satisfied i can rely on it in will probably go ahead but i must feel confident.

Regards, David

[Denise2011 in reply to Bond33]

Hi David,

I only asked because I had never heard of Adizem before and it says it is for Angina and High Blood Pressure. The reason I mentioned your valves and it is the mitral valve damage that can cause AF, is that my brother-in-law has AF. He has all kinds of problems, but I can't talk to him much as he's very private. It was looking it up for him initially.

I only mention the finer details for you, not to worry you, but it may be worth while checking. My experience is this and that is .... the times I've been told in the last 9 years, "it's fine" - I discovered that that wasn't the case at all. As an ex-staff nurse, I find it easy to follow. I did need to brush up and it very true of course that a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I am extra cautious about that.

I'm with Medtronic and I rang them yesterday as I was concerned. They said I could use my ECG machine if I was worried. Glad I did David, because I am able to show them that it is not 'nothing' and it is not 'my imagination'.

Do let me know how you get on? Thanks.

Kind Regards

Denise

[Bond33 in reply to Denise2011]

Thanks Denise will keep in touch. My wife who sadly passed on in 2014 was an ex-nurse. Take Care, David