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Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure
Let’s imagine that there is a main street where all cars go but sometimes in certain situations and for specific reasons the cars take another road that is not the right one.
It’s like deviating from the main road and making a detour to reach the destination. Sometimes cars go around, other times they go in a circle on the wrong path. When there is a detour at the level of the electrical circuit in the heart, the arrhythmia appears.
Through the ablation procedure, the specialist will burn the wrong electrical path. As a result of this process, the cells in the heart lose their elasticity and conductivity, which means that the electric current can no longer pass through.
As if a street is blocked and cars can no longer pass by.
Therefore, the passage of the electric current is this way guided only on the normal pathway because the electric current cannot pass through the scarred tissue.
Depending on the hospital and the specialist you choose, there are two types of methods:
- radiofrequency catheter ablation, where the cells are cauterized, and
- cryoablation, where the heart tissue that causes the arrhythmia is frozen at -40 degree.
The specialists, called electrophysiologists, say that both approaches are non-surgical and least invasive forms of treatment for supraventricular tachycardia. The procedure undergoes in the electrophysiology laboratory, which is a sterile environment.
An ablation is a procedure where the doctor cauterizes the cells of the heart that causes arrhythmia with electrodes.
The difficult part is getting the electrode inside the body up to the heart. To do this, the doctor will make a small opening in the groin area and insert a catheter through a vein. The patient will be under mild sedation and local anesthesia.
The vital functions of the patient are strictly monitored. Usually, the patient is conscious throughout the procedure, but there are also clinics where they have an option for total sedation.
A catheter is a thin and flexible plastic tube like those ones used for delivering intravenous medication. The catheter used for ablation is very long, and on one side, it has an electrode which will deliver heat to burn the abnormal tissue.
Insertion of this tube into the vein up to the heart is done carefully and slowly to maintain the integrity of vein and the heart.
They have a special device that captures images through x-rays and guide them through the procedure. These images will help the doctor to see how to navigate the catheter to the problematic area. It is like having a GPS inside the heart.
Once the doctor can identify the area in the heart that causes the palpitations, he or she will burn the abnormal heart cells delivering small waves of heat.
The complications of an SVT ablation
According to one study, ablation can present major complications (perforations, access complications, bleeding, pulmonary edema) in 0.8% of SVT cases.
Although this procedure is said to have a low risk of developing complications, we will describe what problems might occur during or after the ablation. Here there are some of them:
- The way instruments are handled in the process of performing the technique, may present a risk of damaging to the surrounding vessels, nerves, organs and tissues.
- The most common consequence of ablation is pain. Pain may occur at the site of insertion of the catheter. Also, chest pain might be present due to the heat produced by the catheter or irritation of the lining of the heart. Pain relief medicines are administered during and before the procedure to prevent you from feeling the pain.
- Another complication of ablation may be pericarditis or inflammation of the lining covering the heart. Around the heart, we have a membrane called the pericardium. It is a two-layer of tissue with little liquid between the two to keep the layers away from each other. If this membrane is damaged during the procedure, it can lead to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the pericardium sac. Chest pain and breathing problems may occur, and it will be necessary to remove the accumulated fluid through a drainage tube.
- Suppose specific healthy conduction pathways have been burned because they were too close to the area that needed to be ablated. In that case, a complete atrioventricular block may occur, which means that the electrical impulse does not reach from the atria to the ventricles. Therefore, implantation of a pacemaker is required. This complication happens in less than 1 per cent of cases.
- Bleeding or signs of infection may appear in the groin area where the incision was made.
- During catheter insertion, the heart may be accidentally punctured.
- When the procedure has to be done close to the coronary artery, there is a higher risk of causing a rare complication called coronary artery spasm. It is a sudden contraction of the muscles in a particular location in the artery. The artery narrows and the flow of blood to the heart are restricted.
- It can present minor complications such as pneumothorax, respiratory problems, hypotension, pneumonia.
- Ablation exposes the patient to a certain degree of radiation
“Sixty minutes of radiation exposure translates to 0.03% increased life time risk for fatal malignancies which was higher for obese patients.”
As stated by NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, The risk of dying from this procedure or from one of the above complications is less than 1 in 10 000 (0.01%).
Is catheter ablation the best option for your SVT?
The cardiologists’ consider ablation a curative therapy with a success rate of over 90%. The ideal candidate for ablation must meet one or more conditions such as:
- a highly symptomatic patient with frequent episodes of arrhythmias
- somebody who does not tolerate medical therapy or has severe adverse drug reactions
- arrhythmia can no longer be treated with medication from various reasons
- the patient has been diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and presents a family history of sudden cardiac death
- the patient presents with ectopic beats that affect the quality of his/her life
- if abnormal electrical activity of the heart increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation
For patients who have rare episodes of tachycardia or can control these symptoms through various techniques and medication, for them, ablation might not be the best solution.
However, the choice belongs entirely to the patient, but he or she is helped by the specialized and precious indications of the cardiologist.
How to prepare for SVT ablation?
- Tell your doctor about the medication that you are taking; these include vitamins, herbal treatments, prescription drugs, etc.
- You may get the indication to stop taking these medicines before the procedure; don’t stop taking them until the doctor instructs you.
- You will receive instructions about what food and drinks you can have in the 24 hours before the procedure. Fasting usually starts 6 to 8 hours before ablation.
- If you are allergic to anything, especially the materials used in catheterization such as latex, iodine, and X-ray dye, you should let your doctor know before the procedure.
- Bring any medical devices you routinely use, such as hearing aids and spectacles to the hospital.
- Lastly, ask someone to pick you up after you are discharged as you should not drive for at least 24 hours after the ablation.
What should I expect after SVT ablation?
The ablation lasts between 2 and 6 hours. However, the length of the operation depends on how many areas need to be cauterized, and the possible complications that may occur.
After the catheters are removed, the artery is compressed at the puncture site. You will be instructed to rest in bed, lying flat with your leg straight for 6 to 8 hours after ablation. Your nurse will inform you when you can get up.
To achieve compression, a dressing is applied that must be kept for 24 hours or as long as the specialist indicates to avoid bleeding.
The nurse will carefully monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and heartbeat. If you notice any signs of swelling, bleeding, or pain at the site of insertion of the catheter, or if you experience chest pain, inform your doctor or nurse immediately.
You might experience the side-effects of anaesthesia. Cough, sore throat, and lethargy are common side-effects of anaesthesia that can last anywhere between a few hours and days.
Before being discharged, you will receive written instructions from the nurse explaining the physical recovery treatment you should do after leaving the hospital. Often patients are prescribed aspirin for 2 to 4 weeks after the procedure to prevent clot formation at the site of ablation.
What should I do after being discharged from the hospital?
People typically resume their daily activities one day after being discharged. The doctor or the nurse will give you instructions to follow for optimal recovery.
You will be advised not to drive or drink alcohol for 24 hours after being discharged and to avoid strenuous physical activities for the next 72 hours. You can ask your doctor about a safe time to resume vigorous activities.
You might notice a small bruise on the site of catheter insertion; this is normal. However, if you experience bleeding, have someone call the hospital and lie down straight while applying pressure on the puncture site.
What should I do if I don’t feel well after my SVT ablation?
You should call an ambulance if the bruise starts swelling rapidly or applying pressure does not stop bleeding.
You should contact your hospital if you:
- feel numbness and tingling in the leg in which the catheter was inserted, and your foot turns cold and blue
- notice increased bruising, swelling or drainage of fluids from the puncture site
- experience chest pain or discomfort that radiates to your arm, neck, or jaw
- feel your heart racing or beating irregularly
- experience dizziness, light-headedness that prevents you from standing and shortness of breath
- start sweating and feeling nauseous
Are there alternative remedies I should consider for treating SVT?
Alternative treatments are useful in treating arrhythmias, but we must consult a specialist who will recommend the appropriate therapies for the type of arrhythmia we have.
As individuals, we are each different, and unlike traditional medicine, when we talk about an alternative treatment, there is no standard treatment for everyone.
If you want to be successful in using alternative methods, find an excellent integrative heart doctor, discover the cause of your tachycardia and follow the treatment indicated by the specialist. Most of the time, you will not only have to drink tea or take a supplement, but the program will be much more complicated, including changes in lifestyle like diet, sleep and exercise.
Will I need medicine or another procedure after my first SVT ablation?
Recovery after ablation for some patients is straightforward. Their quality of life improves, and they may no longer have palpitations or episodes of SVT. In this situation, the ablation was beneficial, and we can say that the patient is cured.
Depending on the particularity of each case, the cardiologist will decide whether the patient will continue, reduce or stop the medication after ablation.
However, other patients may experience ectopics or SVT attacks afterwards. It is not uncommon to have occasional SVT episodes or annoying flip-flops during the first few weeks after the ablation.
The heart needs three months to heal from the trauma experienced during the procedure. If you haven’t become SVT free after three months of ablation and the symptoms return the same or even more pronounced than before, the doctor may indicate the need for a second ablation.
The recovery period after SVT ablation
The recovery time varies from person to person and depends on multiple factors. Thus, it is essential to let your body take its time to heal. The destroyed/ablated heart tissue can take as many as four weeks to heal, and during this time, you may still experience arrhythmia.
Your doctor might prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs as well as other treatments to minimize the symptoms as you recover. Even though this procedure is minimally invasive, be sure to relax and not to overexert yourself while your body heals.
The success rate of SVT ablation
Most forms of SVT can be treated with ablation, and the initial success rate is higher than 90%. Recurrent rate of SVT after ablation is about 5%.
Cardiac ablation stops supraventricular tachycardia as well as its associated symptoms. The success of the procedure depends upon the type of SVT. The success rates quoted reflect the data collected from patients with AVNRT (Atrioventricular Nodal Re-entrant Tachycardia) and AVRT (Atrioventricular Reciprocating Tachycardia) types of SVT.
To successfully treat a patient using catheter ablation, it is vital to be able to induce supraventricular tachycardia in the patient. While this is usually possible in most of the patients, in some cases, SVT cannot be triggered and thus, it is difficult to treat the patient using ablation.
Do the benefits of SVT ablation outweigh the risk?
For many people, their hope of complete recovery with ablation makes the procedure worth the risk involved. However, for those with fewer symptoms or conditions in which ablation is not likely to be very useful, the benefits may not outweigh the risk.
What to expect from a specialist in SVT ablation?
When you decide to make an appointment with a cardiologist, it is imperative to choose a well-experienced doctor with whom you can communicate according to your needs.
Otherwise, you will risk leaving the cardiology office confused, with questions that you did not have time to ask, with explanations that you did not understand anything or what is even worse with a treatment with which you disagree.
When you buy a house, you don’t take the first one you see listed in the newspaper.
This is not even a house; it is about the quality of your life from now on. For excellent outcomes towards your heart health, you need the best doctor.
You should search on the internet, ask friends, read reviews left by other patients, visit his or her website, ask questions at the reception, get as much information about this doctor as you can.
You may be wondering what should be your expectations from a specialist?
Three things, in my opinion, are a must: communication, expertise and a multifaceted approach to heart care.
It would help if you had a specialist who cares about you as a person and supports you regarding the choice of your treatment. You may also want a doctor who can give you some other selection of treatment except pills and ablation, which should be the last resort if nothing else works.
If you feel that you are not being listened to or you cannot connect with your doctor, you can seek a second opinion.
Ask your doctor to provide an informed consent
When it comes to our health, we must take steps to make informed decisions. This includes being aware of the potential risks and benefits of any medical procedure and alternative options.
Cardiac ablation is a standard treatment for certain types of heart arrhythmias, involving the use of heat to disrupt abnormal electrical pathways in the heart.
While it can be a highly effective option, it also carries potential complications such as blood clots, stroke, and damage to the heart’s electrical system. That is why it is crucial to ask your doctor for an informed consent before undergoing this procedure.
It is important that any potential risks or alternatives are explained well and clearly so that you understand all of your options before proceeding with any type of decision.
Don’t hesitate to speak up for yourself and ask for informed consent – you deserve information about what will happen to your own body.
Why you may need a pacemaker after an SVT ablation?
A pacemaker is an incredible feat of modern technology that a small device can be implanted just beneath the skin near the heart – no bigger than a small coin – and act as an electric pulse generator helping to regulate and strengthen a person’s heartbeat.
An ablation can weaken the heart muscle, making it more difficult for the heart to pump effectively. In these cases, a pacemaker may be needed to help maintain a steady and regular heartbeat, improve heart function and prevent other complications.
I had SVT until I had an Ablation on 2/22/22. Since then, I have had several what I call hiccups about once every 6 to 8 weeks where I think I will go into SVT but I do not. This is very, very unsettling!! I’m just waiting for this to happen and have to rush to the Emergency room,… Again!
I take 50mg of Metoprolol at night.
What do you think?
Thanks
Hi Mark,
There is a root cause and you need to find it.
First I would suggest you try daily positive affirmations such as:
“The ablation was successful.”
“Nothing can happen to me.”
“I am safe.”
“My pulse is within normal limits.”
“I am healthy.”
Even though managing SVT attacks with medication or even surgery can bring relief from the symptoms, an underlying root cause can still lurk beneath the surface contributing to these episodes in the future. Finding the root cause of your SVT is crucial. Over the next 2-3 months make an effort to stay involved with your health on a daily basis. Record what you eat, how you feel, what you think and any other factors such as stress that may be present when these “hiccups” or other symptoms associated with SVT occur. Writing down these factors in a journal can help to provide clues about triggers or other variables that can provide insight into why the SVT is happening. Take care, Claudia
Claudia, Thanks for your blog and all the helpful information! I have had two arterial flutter SVT events in two years. The second one lasted several hours, landed me in the Emergency room, has detailed ECGs, blood work, and was finally halted by intervention (an IV drug) at the hospital. Later, the first surgeon said no surgery or other treatment needed (after echocardiogram and 30-day monitor), but the second recommended ablation, particularly because my resting heart rate (in the 50s) is too low for metoprolol drug treatment. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the vagal maneuver (How to Stop and SVT Attack) and the surgeon didn’t mention it. Maybe there are other considerations for ablative surgery? I’m don’t know if I can successfully stop an attack since they are so rare for me. Thanks!
Hi Karl, Have you considered a third medical opinion?
I had an ablation for afib in March; my 2-week monitor prior to the ablation showed no unusual heart rhythms. I just finished another two-week monitor and it showed 79 instances of atrial tachycardia. Could the ablation have caused this problem?
Hi Tina, I am sorry to hear that. Your cardiologist is the one who can help you with an explanation. Every case is unique so I don’t believe there is a general answer. Stay well!