Ive had SVT for 20 years (im now 30). I saw my cardiologist today to schedule an ablation.
Looking at my ECG results he has determined that the extra pathway is likely located on the left side of the heart (lucky me) he also said there could be some wpw - i dont know what he means by 'some' but anyway.. Just wondering who out there has had an ablation on the left side? i know there are extra risks involved (including stroke) but that they are rare. i also know the success rate is still quite high for left side. Feeling a little emotional and terrified, i really was hoping i had a straight forward case, i guess it just wasnt to be.
I had an unsuccessful ablation, they decided that this meant my issue is on the right side (the tricky side). The extra risk is associated with the need to cut trough one of the chambers. This increase your risk of needing a pace maker. If your issue is on the left I think it's a good thing
No the left side is definetly the tricky side, they go in through the right side so they need to go through the right side to get to the left, which means they need to do a transseptal puncture. Also the left side is directly linked to your brain which increases the risk of stroke.
Maybe your doc is doing a different technique. Typically the go in through the artery in the left side (look at s picture with of a heart the ateries come in through the top left). A small hole is made in order to access the right side. I went through this in great detail with my specialist after a failed ablation. Your natural wiring is also on the right side which is why the risk of a pacemaker is so much greater. Read up on it x
Lol trust me ive definetly read up on it, ive had SVT for 20 years and when i was first diagnosed properly at the age of 16 i was told the left side was more difficult and more risky, and my doc (different doc) told me the same thing today. There are lots of articles on the net to back this up. They go through the vein in your groin on your right side. Ive never heard of them doing it any other way unless there is a particular reason why they cant do it that way. Read the below which was taken from the ablation clinic website.
If the pathway or focus causing the arrhythmia is located in the
left side of the heart a transseptal puncture using a sharp needle
is needed to access the left atrium. During transseptal puncture
a hole is created between the top chambers of the heart to
enable passage of the catheters. This hole usually will heal over
the subsequent four post operative weeks. Accessing the left
side of the heart makes the SVT procedure more complex
I think we are talking about the same thing. Perhaps my doctor was referring to his right. I know that mine is closer to the natural wiring on the right side which makes it very risky to fix, and is apparently a more complex op due to going through the wall
I could be wrong but I think yours is close to the AV node? Which is the hearts natural pacemaker so if they burn too close to that then it could damage it requiring the need of a permanent pacemaker. Is this what u mean? Cos yeh from what I understand the AV node is on the right side which makes it dangerous if the extra pathway is too close?
Details apart, do you trust your cardio specialist?
If you do, then you should reassure yourself that they will definitely not go ahead with an ablation if they think there is any real risk of injury or otherwise making things worse.
If you don't trust them, or are not sure whether you do or not, then you should get a second opinion before deciding whether to go ahead with it.
I just hope it all goes as well for you as it did for me. Good luck
