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.
I had my third EP consult today at Ohio St. Univ. I felt at home, and my second ablation attempt will be in June. Recall that my first ablation was aborted in November due to clotting on the transeptal sheath just prior to accessing the left atrium.
I have a very rare blood vessel architecture characterized by a *left-sided* inferior vena cava (IVC). The is the large vein that connects the femoral veins to the right atrium. In most subjects, this vein is a straight line up to the heart. So my deviating IVC poses a problem for the more inflexible parts of the ablation procedure hardware, namely the transeptal sheath.
So my EP has ordered a cardiac MRI a month prior to the procedure to fully appraise the feasibility of another femoral vein approach. He will also consult with the Children's Hospital that specializes in similar blood vessel anomalies. This EP will also use stereotaxis to guide the catheters through the IVC.
Other options include neck vein access or a minimally invasive surgery whereby punctures are made in the chest wall. Hopefully we can stick with the traditional femoral vein route.
After the consult, I had a meltdown in the consult room but then felt like the decision had finally been made, and that is a relief. I had been praying for a 'closed loop' on this decision. This consult is in stark contrast to the prior (second) EP consult at which time the EP told me to go back to the first EP who performed the procedure.
I was surprised to learn that I will need a TEE and CT scan day before the procedure in June. This was not performed during my first procedure, I think because intracardiac ultrasound was used. So perhaps intracardiac ultrasound is not used in June? Still some question, but relieved to know that one of the best EPs is going the extra mile to guarantee my safety.
Long note! Thanks for listening.
Sean
I have a very rare blood vessel architecture characterized by a *left-sided* inferior vena cava (IVC). The is the large vein that connects the femoral veins to the right atrium. In most subjects, this vein is a straight line up to the heart. So my deviating IVC poses a problem for the more inflexible parts of the ablation procedure hardware, namely the transeptal sheath.
So my EP has ordered a cardiac MRI a month prior to the procedure to fully appraise the feasibility of another femoral vein approach. He will also consult with the Children's Hospital that specializes in similar blood vessel anomalies. This EP will also use stereotaxis to guide the catheters through the IVC.
Other options include neck vein access or a minimally invasive surgery whereby punctures are made in the chest wall. Hopefully we can stick with the traditional femoral vein route.
After the consult, I had a meltdown in the consult room but then felt like the decision had finally been made, and that is a relief. I had been praying for a 'closed loop' on this decision. This consult is in stark contrast to the prior (second) EP consult at which time the EP told me to go back to the first EP who performed the procedure.
I was surprised to learn that I will need a TEE and CT scan day before the procedure in June. This was not performed during my first procedure, I think because intracardiac ultrasound was used. So perhaps intracardiac ultrasound is not used in June? Still some question, but relieved to know that one of the best EPs is going the extra mile to guarantee my safety.
Long note! Thanks for listening.
Sean
I had both a TEE and CTA before my ablation. The TEE was to look for clots in my heart. Since I recently had had a stroke, the TEE was mandatory. The CTA was to map out the blood vessels in my heart. Good luck with your procedure!
Best of luck on your upcoming second ablation, Sean. Yeah, I think just making the decision on what to do is half the battle. You are young, and therefore you will bounce back from this much easier than us old farts did. NSR forever!
Bill
(Btw, I should think a meltdown was well warranted, this is such a maddening thing to deal with!)
They are experimenting with laser balloon catheters on older guys that eat a lot of ice cream. Because they can ablate a larger area, the ablation takes less time and the patient get to Dairy Queen by lunchtime. :-) Actually, there are benefits to each type of ablation depending on the patient:
http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/2013-atrial-fibrillation-conference-innovative-catheter-ablation-procedures-rob-kowal-md-2/
petey
Only two weeks until the end of Lent, at which point I can take an ice cream bath! With Oreo cookie topping! Woo hoo Dairy Queen!
Old ice cream eater Bill
I am very Happy to read this . I appreciate you sharing!
So happy to read your news about the upcoming ablation:) I know you just really weren't sure what to do, but now that you have mad the decision, with a great deal of thought involved, think positive about it. Sounds like you have a very good EP and knows what he is talking about. It is always nice to feel confident about your Dr. If I don't feel confident, or feel like the Dr. is rushing me, I am out of there.
I do hope you will have something there to "support" you since you aren't from Ohio. Please take care of yourself and continue prayers for you. If you want to vent, please write me.
Good luck and good NSR and please stay in touch. How are you doing right now?
Thoughs and prayers are with you. I care!!!!!
Hugs,
Christine
I need to start reading my posts back!! I meant to say - hope you have someone where you live to "support" you., and also "made" instead of "mad". - sorry! My nails are long and sometimes hit the wrong keys - all the more reason to read my posts back!!! Hope you are getting out and doing things to keep your mind off it. I know what you mean about "meltdown"- Once I have made a desion, I usually feel better. Proud of you:) You are young and healthy and will do well:)
Christine