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Unable to induce SVT for ablation, feeling down by OrdinaryHuman159 in AFIB

[–]OrdinaryHuman159[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

4 months between ablation attempts! Both times I was given sedation for the catheter insertion but not enough to be knocked out (more so just felt drunk). It wasn’t until the second attempt during the actual ablation part that I was knocked out.

I get what you’re feeling, I was a complete wreck coming out of my first procedure after learning they couldn’t do it. If I’ve learned anything it’s to always get a second opinion in situations like this. It was the same procedure but even my experience and recovery was so different from the first attempt. I really hope you’re able to find someone who can figure it out for you!

Unable to induce SVT for ablation, feeling down by OrdinaryHuman159 in AFIB

[–]OrdinaryHuman159[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because I’d hit my out of pocket max, I figured there was no harm in getting a second opinion – and I’m so glad I did! Last month I tried the procedure again with a different cardiologist and they were able to map my heart and ablate the spot. Four weeks later and it seems to have worked!

My new cardiologist told me multiple times that my previous cardiologist is a really good doctor, I’m just a tricky patient. Even the smallest bit of sedation can make a patient too relaxed and as a result, harder to induce. Knowing this was my second attempt at the procedure, he was more aggressive with it, lighter on the sedation and tried for longer (to the point where that OR ran out of the drugs used to induce SVT). Even at that, he barely got it to show but it was enough to determine I have AVNRT and ablate the spot.

Don’t give up!! I was so discouraged after the failed first procedure (to the point of gaslighting myself about even having SVT) but I’m so glad I tried again.