Posted by Kristine on October 01, 2002 at 02:38:58:
In Reply to: Problem after the MAZE operation posted by Ozzi Nassar on September 30, 2002 at 10:23:06:
Hey Ozzi-
I just recently had a flutter ablation at CC, both typical and atypical. I also do have a pacer that was placed after an AV nodal ablation to control rates of different difficult to get atrial tachycardias.
Anyways, the flutter ablations. The one you may have like I did was due to post op scarring in the right atrium from recent-last Oct.-open heart-I was told that was what took sooooo long to get-the procedure was a little over 8 hours. In the process they also got to close to my atrial pacer wire which will be replaced the end of this month and possibly a little more ablating because the arrythmia was very near the wire.
Now, as far as a pacer, it is a wonderful device! Not only will it keep my rates lower and help keep me out of some failure it also is able to record events without the need for external monitoring all the time.I still have an event monitor because of being post procedure, but every 3 months my pacer gets checked and if the arrythmia catcher is on the docs can see what has been going on! Yes, a-v nodal ablation is a big step, mine was done when I was abt 21, and am now 28, I was told if my rates were not lowered I would have died of CHF by the ripe ole age of 30. Now, I still am on Lasix,but there is a lot of other things that have taken place throughout the years. I also take twice daily injections of Lovenox, a blood thinner- due to a malabsorpton bowel disease coumadin or anything else oral may not be adequate- til we can say for certain I am arrythmia free, which will not be an option until after the new pacer gets settled in-I sent a rhythm strip a few weeks ago during the sympptoms I currently am experincing and it may be fibbish looking, but then again it could be the little bit of tissue that will be destroyed when the old wire is ripped-ewwww lets say nicely removed LOL-I had to grab my chest when proof reading that!
So, if a-v nodal ablation with pacer placement seems to be the only real good solution I say go for it!
Please, feel free to email if you have any ?s or anything else!
Take care of yourself-Kristine