AV Node ablation patients??

Hey there ya'll,
I know all about the anatomy of the heart, and the electrical system. I also know about AV Node ablations, but I'm still puzzled a bit.
I know when they ablate the AV Node the bottom chamber no longer recieves the electrical signal from the sinus node, thus causing 100% pacer dependency.
My question is how does this really help relieve symptoms of palpitations, flutter and a-fib?
I'm scared that I won't be able to do as much being 100% paced, or in the end I'll have found that having my AV node ablated really didn't accomplish much. I wish I could talk to Peter, but I know he's on vacation. Shucks! Anyone else out there AV Node ablation patients? Let me know all about it.
Thanks,
Angelie

6 Comments

av node ablation

by aldeer - 2008-11-24 11:11:38

Hi Angelie.... In Aug. 2007 I had an av node ablation with 3rd degree heart block (97%). The electrical signals no longer go through and I have a single lead wire directly to the right ventrical. My atrial is always in fibrilation or flutter, but I no longer feel it. I was put on Coreg CR because I had a couple of VTs shortly after pm was put in. Since being on Coreg, I have felt so much better, swim five days a week, and walk every day, and most important no more VTs. You will usually be put on Coumadin for life to reduce the risk of stroke. I am certain that Smitty will get in here shortly and give you a much better explanation or that electric Frank will do so. Lots of good luck and have a very positive attitude and you will be just fine. love, aldeer

AV Node Ablatio Too

by janetinak - 2008-11-25 02:11:38

I had it for Afib in 2000 & had to be repeated a couple of months later but now with a PM since 1st ablation all going well. As I understand it (& as noted above info) my atria are still doing their AFib thing so use Coumadin & no other meds but ventricles can beat due to cardiac muscle conductivity at 40 beats/min. As that enough I have a single lead into the ventrical septum (wall in middle) to pace 60-120/min. Now no more SOB, dizzieness & fatigue. Can go to pool 5 days/wk, walk as much as my arthritis allows & do as much as I can as my age allows me to do.

Janet

correction

by janetinak - 2008-11-25 02:11:57

meant to say ventricles beat NOT enough

av node ablation

by Susan - 2008-11-25 04:11:58

Hi Angelie,
I had an av node ablation several years ago in the course of treatment for afib. Initially things went well and I was less symtomatic however, as time went on the percentage of time I was in afib began to increase as noted on my interrogations. Although I was feeling somewhat better I again became short of breath, restless in my sleep, etc. I was on meds and I was on Coreg. I then sourght out a PVI ablation by a great doctor who had much experiece treating afib and much experience with ablations for afib.
If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't go for the av ablation until I explored some other procedures such as PVI ablations or the Maze or mini-Maze procedures. While the av node ablation made me less symtomatic which was great, the atria continue in fibrillation. There is considerable discussion about the long term affects on the heart about atria that continue in fibrillation. I was concerned about that and sought out other opinions.
The use of av node ablations for treatment of afib seems to be decreasing as there is more success these days with other procedures. To me the av node ablation covers up the afib by making one less symtomatic but doesn't really get rid of it. I wanted to get rid of it and get off the coumadin.
Though I am pacemaker dependent with an av node ablation, I work out at the gym and maintain an active life. I don't feel restricted because of the av node ablation. Initally it was awesome to be dependent on the the pacemaker but one gets over that and eventually gets on with life.
Do whatever you feel is best. As you can see, we do offer different opinions and that is one way we learn by listening to others and then makeing the best decsion we can. Good luck
Susan

PVI Ablation

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-25 11:11:10

Susan, I just did some reading on PVI based on your post. It sure looks promising and likely to have a much better chance of success than AV ablation.

Thanks for the post. I don't have afib so I haven't read up on it as much as AV block

frank

AV Ablation

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-25 12:11:08

The idea of AV ablation is to cut the circuit from the atrium to the ventricles. This would keep errant contractions in the atrium (like afib) from producing corresponding arrhythmias in the ventricles where they can cause more problems.

The main problem with any ablation is that you can't be guaranteed that there will be a clean cut like cutting a wire. Just like surgery that cuts nerves can cause phantom limb pain, ablation can produce an area which produces its own arrhythmia which travel to the ventricles and cause problems.

The other problem is that the heart is a moving target during the procedure and it is not uncommon to hit the wrong spot. This can cause all sorts of problems.

There have been a lot of posts on this site from people who have had multiple ablations to try to bring it all together. This isn't to say they aren't very valuable in the right circumstances. Just be sure you need it and that the person doing it is very experienced.

frank

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