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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Ablation The Right Method Of Treatment For SVT In The Upper Chamber?

I have SVT in the upper chamber and my Cardio Doc is recommending an Ablation or I can go on meds for the rest of my life. I am not finding any current info online it all seems to be a year or more old. I have talked with people that are on meds and doing ok some have reactions to the meds. I have talked with people that have had the Ablation and it didn t work or they have had to repeat it. I have expressed my concerns to my Cardio Doc and he gave me all the info he could but stated it was my decision. I am extremely nervous about the Ablation and risks. I had a reveal heart monitor placed about a month ago so he has a complete recording of the episode I had last Friday and they are happening more often. I would like more current statistics if possible. Doc specializes in cardia electrophysiology and has been in practice for over 10 years.
posted on Thu, 8 Dec 2016
Twitter Fri, 20 Jan 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 20 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

As per your history of SVT, I may say [Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation] is the latest method now a days and every day we are doing it in out patient settings.

Procedure:

1) You will be put an IV (intravenous line) into a vein in your arm so you can get medicine (anesthesia) to prevent pain. You may also get a medicine (sedative) to help you relax but you will be awake throughout the procedure

2) You will cleaned and shaved the area where the doctor will be working. This is usually in your groin

3) You will be given a shot — a local anesthetic — to numb the needle puncture site

4) The Cardiologist will make a needle puncture through your skin and into the blood vessel (typically a vein, but sometimes an artery) in your groin. A small straw-sized tube (called a sheath) will be inserted into the blood vessel. The doctor will gently guide a catheter (a long, thin tube) into your vessel through the sheath. A video screen will show the position of the catheter. You may feel some pressure in your groin, but you shouldn’t feel any pain.

5) The doctor inserts several long, thin tubes with wires, called [electrode catheters], through the sheath and feeds these tubes into your heart.

6) To locate the abnormal tissues causing arrhythmia, the doctor sends a small electrical impulse through the electrode catheter. This activates the abnormal tissues that is causing your arrhythmia. Other catheters record the heart’s electrical signals to locate the abnormal sites. The doctor places the catheter at the exact site inside your heart where the abnormal cells are.

7) A mild, painless, RF energy is sent to the tissues. This destroys heart muscle cells in a very small area (about 1/5 of an inch) that are responsible for the extra impulses that caused your rapid heartbeats.

8) Catheter ablation usually takes 2 hours. If you have more than one area of abnormal tissues, the procedure will take longer.

I hope I was able to address your query. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to me. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo
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Is Ablation The Right Method Of Treatment For SVT In The Upper Chamber?

Hi, As per your history of SVT, I may say [Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation] is the latest method now a days and every day we are doing it in out patient settings. Procedure: 1) You will be put an IV (intravenous line) into a vein in your arm so you can get medicine (anesthesia) to prevent pain. You may also get a medicine (sedative) to help you relax but you will be awake throughout the procedure 2) You will cleaned and shaved the area where the doctor will be working. This is usually in your groin 3) You will be given a shot — a local anesthetic — to numb the needle puncture site 4) The Cardiologist will make a needle puncture through your skin and into the blood vessel (typically a vein, but sometimes an artery) in your groin. A small straw-sized tube (called a sheath) will be inserted into the blood vessel. The doctor will gently guide a catheter (a long, thin tube) into your vessel through the sheath. A video screen will show the position of the catheter. You may feel some pressure in your groin, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. 5) The doctor inserts several long, thin tubes with wires, called [electrode catheters], through the sheath and feeds these tubes into your heart. 6) To locate the abnormal tissues causing arrhythmia, the doctor sends a small electrical impulse through the electrode catheter. This activates the abnormal tissues that is causing your arrhythmia. Other catheters record the heart’s electrical signals to locate the abnormal sites. The doctor places the catheter at the exact site inside your heart where the abnormal cells are. 7) A mild, painless, RF energy is sent to the tissues. This destroys heart muscle cells in a very small area (about 1/5 of an inch) that are responsible for the extra impulses that caused your rapid heartbeats. 8) Catheter ablation usually takes 2 hours. If you have more than one area of abnormal tissues, the procedure will take longer. I hope I was able to address your query. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to me. Wishing you all the best. Thanks, Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo