SVT ablation advice

[Addyanna]

Hello

I have SVT, PACs, PVCs, & a valve issue.

It was hard to find the right meds as I have very low blood pressure. My SVT attacks were quite frequent and lasting around 3 hours so I was put on the waiting list for an ablation.

In the meantime I started Flecanide and it's been a game changer. I no longer have SVT runs, it really helps with my arrhythmias. I feel energised again.

My appointment has just come through for ablation next month & I don't know what to do. The thought of long term meds worries me but I do feel great right now.

My cardiologist says it's up to me and if I don't have one he doesn't believe there's a long term risk with Flecainide. I might still need meds afterwards anyway as my other arrhythmias are so frequent & tiring but I could be med free.

The thought of an ablation terrifies me. The procedure as well as recovery. You literally lie there awake for hours waiting while they do it?!

I've just spoken to my GP and she thinks SVT will always find a way to come back after ablation eventually.

[Crystal614]

I have SVT and I take Flecainide to control it. I have been taking it since 2021. An attempt at ablation was done but the EP could not get my heart to go into SVT long enough to find out exactly where the problem was to do the ablation, after a few attempts he had to give up so I was put onto medication instead. It really is not that terrifying. You will be given some sedation so you will feel nice and relaxed and the staff will look after you really well and they will do everything they can to keep you comfortable. You will have a local anaesthetic in the groin so you won't feel anything. Its actually interesting with what they do. I had to take things easy for a week, long term I can't say because the ablation could not be done. I would much rather have ablation done than take medication long term, so if I get another chance to have the problem ablated then I would jump at the chance.

[Addyanna in reply to Crystal614]

thanks so much for replying. Sorry it didn't work for you

[Crystal614 in reply to Addyanna]

Good luck if you decide to go ahead with the ablation. If you do, please let me know how it goes.

[Addyanna in reply to Crystal614]

Thank you. I will

[wischo]

My advice is to go for the ablation as you really do not want to be on meds full time. Ablations have a high success rate and in my opinion are a better option than permanent meds. Like being scared of a dentist you can not keep taking paracetamol all the time and have to take the plunge. You are lucky to be offered an ablation so its just my opinion.

[Addyanna in reply to wischo]

Thank you so appreciate that. I'm just very scared.

[wischo in reply to Addyanna]

I fully understand what your saying and I have a horrific fear of dentists from some childhood experiences, and I know that its irrational though I still have it and when I lie in the chair all the fear comes back to haunt me. I know I have to go now and I do, and have never been subjected to any pain or discomfort in the last 10yrs but still the fear is there. You will probably find the whole progress a breeze once you get your mindset right although whatever you choose I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Choccie55]

I’m on the waiting list and am nervous too but SVT is affecting my quality of life and I would love to not to have to worry about an episode ever again. I’m on Bisoprolol but it has become less effective and my episodes are increasing year on year. I was diagnosed six years ago but had symptoms a lot longer. Episodes tend to increase as you age and I’ve definitely noticed this. My EP said ablation is about 90% effective for the type of SVT I have. If it’s not successful he would look at changing my medication as I can’t increase the beta blockers I’m on because my blood pressure is naturally low. Ultimately an ablation is the only way of getting rid of SVT for good - I’m really hoping it will give me my life back because at the moment I’m too scared to do many things in case I have an episode.

[Addyanna in reply to Choccie55]

I completely relate to all of this thanks. I couldn't tolerate Bisoprolol because of my low blood pressure.

Hope you can get an ablation and it helps x

[Sismatico in reply to Choccie55]

Hi sorry to hear you have these SVT’s , not nice I’m 65 now been having them for 30 years on and off there on regular every day now I’m on propanadol 40 mg but doesn’t stop them , they seem to start from my head tension then release adrenaline to my stomach then palp SVT starts I’ve had adenosine twice in the last month to stop them but not nice , anyway down for ablation but I think it’s a year waiting list they tell me . Not sure how much private is anyone done this route ? Thanks Russ

[Choccie55 in reply to Sismatico]

I did consider going private but was told the waiting list was about 6 months. This was last January and I had the ablation end of September 2024. It was originally scheduled for end of August but got rearranged. I’m glad I didn’t pay in the end as mine was unsuccessful! I think it starts at around £10,000. I now take Flecainide alongside Bisoprolol and haven’t had an episode since, just the occasional flutter.

[Sismatico in reply to Choccie55]

thanks for the information , think I will be waiting another year as I’ve just been put on the ablation register . Flecainide il ask my GP about it , I’m getting these most days now as have a bit of stress on and that seems to trigger it . Like I say been going on 30 years now but back then I only got a couple a year so wasn’t so bad .

Private sounds expensive .

Couldn’t they start your SVT during the operation then as I understand that’s what they have to do to identify the area to do the ablation in cheers Russ

[Choccie55 in reply to Sismatico]

Hi Russ, they were able to trigger my SVT and ablate some areas but they could still trigger the arrhythmia afterwards so they did some more mapping of the heart and found an an area too near the AV node to ablate safely without a high risk of needing a permanent pacemaker. They then tried Flecainide on me which worked well. I had to have a CT angiogram a few weeks later to rule out coronary artery disease before I could be prescribed it. I hope you don’t have to wait too long for your appointment.