Ablation 4 weeks ago, SVT's have started again. Anyone else? Advice from Cardiologists?

[chriscardio1995]

Male, 26yrs, 5ft 9 and 67kg.

Almost 4 weeks ago (2nd December 2021) I had a Electrophysiology Study (EP) and catheter ablation to cure AVRT which was causing episodes of SVT from a young age. I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome late November 2021 and they got me in as soon as they could to get the procedure done. The procedure was a success and below are the discharge notes from the cardiologist.

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Initial ablation induced AVRT and terminated after 6s of ablation with loss of preexcitation, further consolidation lesions. All lesions at 30W

No antegrade or retrograde pathway conduction evidence with adenosine

At 20mins waiting, AVRT induced (no pre-excitation on baseline ECG)

Further lesions at 35W with termination of tachycardia in <2s

No recurrence of antegrade or retrograde pathway conduction after 20mins waiting time

Summary

Successful ablation of right free wall AP

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I felt fine up until 28th December in the evening, where I had an SVT episode on the way home from dropping my partner off at the airport. There was a car in front of me where the wheel came off, it created a fight or flight response and this is when the SVT was triggered (my opinion and that of the Emergency Department (ED) Doctors once I explained my evening). I pulled over, managed to stop the episode and drove myself to the emergency department. They did all tests as I was having a massive panic attack as a result of my recurred episode but all came back fine. My troponin levels were slightly elevated (13 > 26) with a two hour gap between each test, respectively. They discharged me around 9 hours later and I went to bed.

The following day my heart was acting a little strange and I was very aware of my heart beat. I spent the day riddled with anxiety thinking that the procedure was a fail. By the time my anxiety had settled, I got in the shower and after getting out I had another episode. I called an ambulance and went back to the ED. They did all the same tests but to no avail in regard to a reason why this is happening. The only option they said it could be is because I am 4 weeks post ablation and my heart is healing and creating scar tissue.

I am very scared at this point and even when I try to relax I get the occasional episode. I have had 3 in total since the ablation in the space of 48 hours.

Did anyone else go through a similar healing timeline when they had a catheter ablation? Or if there are any Cardiologists on here that may be able to shed some light, it would definitely help me choose my next step.

Thanks in advance. Chris.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I’m sorry you have been having such a difficult time. But just a reminder that this forum is a self help one, where we try and support and help each other with the benefit of our own experiences.

So, although you will not get a Cardiologist or other professionals giving professional advice here you can call the BHF help line where you can speak to the trained (and very helpful) nurses about your own issues.

Or you can search the site for the wide range of well-informed papers the BHF produce on a huge range of heart problems.

From the UK , the number is 030 3300 3311 during usual office hours.