Cardiac ablation pray for me or wish me well please!!

well, time is almost here hope i write back in here if i don't it means am gone I have a pacemaker i don't know if the cables inside will be moved or in the way?? i get so confused by the comments here. will i be completely out ? will i know what's going on. Did someone mention in a post that one of the worst parts is the anesthesia they use on the legs ? i also suffer from some sleep apnea will that causes me problems,, i have noticed that even do im scared,,i think am more scared of the symptoms currently. i keep getting a flutter sensation and 5-8 seconds arrhythmias. super fast heartbeat and I feel weird hope this procedure helps.


5 Comments

Cardiac ablation

by AgentX86 - 2022-11-29 22:31:31

They will use the leg (femeral) vein to access the heart.  The catheter is snaked up the femoral vein into the vena cava and into the right side of the heart.  If access to the left side is needed, the catheter will make a hole in the septum (the tissue separating the right and left).  The hole isn't a big deal and will heal over in short time. 

The primary issue for most, is the leg wound and that really isn't a big deal.  It takes a few hours for the wound to close sufficiently to be able to stand.  You may be on your back in the recovery room for a few hours.  You can ask about "collagen plugs" which will cut the time down significantly.  Your surgeon may use these as a default.  Ask about recovery.  There is rarely any complication with this incision and there isn't much pain.  There is little sensation in that part of the body (inner thigh).

The type of anesthesia varies a lot from patient to patient.  There is no reason for full anesthesia, so there shouldn't be any long-lasting effects or discomfort from being intubated.  They generally use "twilight sedation" which puts you at  the edge of consiousness but doesn't require intubation so you won't have the throat problems for a few days. This sort of anesthetic is easily controllable and they usually just put you at ease.  If you need more you can ask for it.  It's good stuff. 😁 When they're done, this sort of anesthesia can be turned off like a switch so, again, there is little recovery from the anesthetic. You may not even remember what happened.

On the other end of the spectrum, they may only use local anesthetic.  I only had locals (one in the leg and another in the shoulder) for my implant.  It was uneventful except when they made the pocket.  That hurt! I'd had sevaral ablations before that with variations on the sedation, mostly with just locals.

Talk to your surgeon and see what his plans are.  I'm sure he'll probably use some sort of sedation rather than putting you completely under.  If you're worring now, tells me that he's not going to do locals. He's likely only to go that way if the two of you have been here before a time or four.

I hope it helps too.  Don't worry if it doesn't go away immediately.  There is a "blanking" period from three to six months after the ablation where you may have more episodes.  It takes a while for the scar tissue to form.  The arrhythmias can come back during this time.  It doesn't mean that the ablation was unsuccessful.

Talk to your surgeon about your concerns.  He should be able to tell you exactly what's going to happen, what you'll feel, and what the recovery is going to be.

Good luck and let us know how things went.

Hugs

by Lavender - 2022-11-30 09:38:19

Aw your fear sounds understandable. AgentX86 has given you a great description of the process which should help you understand what you are looking at. You will be okay. You're not the first person who ever went through this and your docs will be experienced!

May our Heavenly Father walk alongside you. May Jesus wrap His arm around your shoulder and guide you through. May the angels watch over your rest and comfort as the procedure is performed. May you regain consciousness with a renewed spirit. May all fear be banished from your life now and forever In Jesus' name. 
 

Keep repeating this to yourself:

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Praying

by Mad Hatter - 2022-12-02 11:11:12

I'll pray for you cadaverock.  This verse gave me strength during my pacemaker surgery:  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.73.26.ESV

Update

by cadaverock - 2022-12-02 11:24:16

I appreciate your prayers n well wishes . My procedure is on Tuesday. Dr call me n advised Me to stop metropolol why ? .also mention again this 🙄 there's a small risk of infection n bleeding..?? Made more nervous.  Hmi ask will I be completely out he Said ..No 

Stopping Metoprolol

by Gemita - 2022-12-02 12:30:29

Cadaverock, it is likely that your doctors want you to stop Metoprolol for a few days before your procedure so that there is a greater chance of triggering your SVT during the EP study/ablation. If you are actually having the arrhythmia during the procedure it will be easier for them to search for the source or sources of the arrhythmia, thereby decreasing procedure time overall which will be better for you. 

I was in AFib during my EP Study, so they could quickly locate the area that would need ablating.  Unless they see the problem quickly, they may have to spend time trying to induce (trigger) the SVT.  By stopping Metoprolol, your heart may be more prone to throwing an arrhythmia.

Please make sure that your doctors know how nervous you feel and ask for adequate sedation so that you will not be aware of the procedure.

I hope it goes well for you and I wish you lots of luck

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