Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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rfreeze 02/29/2012

I found out that I won't be having a TEE tomorrow with my ablation (Yeah! I think) but they will be using vascular ultrasound. Does anyone have experience with this? I guess maybe this is just another catheter. Maybe this goes in through the neck?
Rick

CLane 02/29/2012

Good thoughts going your way for tomorrow's procedure! I had a TEE and havent heard of the vascular ultrasound. I will be interested in learning from you what the vascular ultrasound was like. I was asleep for the TEE but definitely felt its after affects post ablation (very sore throat with TEE).

RN52 02/29/2012

Vascular ultrasound is just ultasound that is looking at blood vessels. It is non-invasive; just uses a transducer and gel on your skin as they would for an echocardiogram. Good luck tomorrow!

katyreck 02/29/2012

Best of wishes and good luck tomorrow!

rfreeze 02/29/2012

I'm sorry, I should have said "Intravascular ultrasound" (I missed the Intra part). It looks like it is done using a catheter. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007266.htm

deleted_user 02/29/2012

Wishing you well, and your doctors skillful wisdom.

pacyetep 02/29/2012

I read somewhere that a TEE is no longer recommended in low risk patients that have been anticoagulated and that the new protocol minimizes the risk and discomfort of the TEE.

Rick: Best of luck! You are getting it done and you will be symptom free! -petey

deleted_user 02/29/2012

Good luck and our thought will be with you for a good outcome. Take care.

deleted_user 02/29/2012

Best, Best, Best of luck tomorrow Rick!!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Pammie

heart2222 02/29/2012

So glad you don't need the TEE. Hope all goes smoothly tomorrow!!

tomorrowsdream 02/29/2012

Actually, a vascular ultrasound would sound much more feasible. It's simply an ultrasound which can detect blood clots in the lungs. An Intravascular ultrasound is a catheter inserted in the groin to look at the coronary arteries, which makes little sense if you are going in for just an ablation. Intravascular is exactly like cardiac catherization.

Cheryl7 03/01/2012

Sending positive thoughts your way! Good luck on your procedure! Keep us posted.

ray2600 03/02/2012

hope aal works out for you , lots of good luck

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