Ablation results.

During an ablation procedure on 4/26/2018, one of my heart chambers was punctured. Only 50% of the procedure had been completed when puncture occurred. I received 4 pints of blood and 2 pints of palettes. The only explanation about what happened was that the pressure/temperature probe had a problem or that part of the heart wall was thin.

I was in ICU for 4 days and the regular hospital for 2 days. I am doing PT to recover my strength. The medication I am on is Amiodarone HCL 200mg two tablets once a day and Eloquis Tab 5mg one tablet twice/day. Currently, I am not having any afib attacks. With a lot of luck, the 50% took care of the afib. The final test will be if I still have afib attacks after I come off of Amiodarone. A date has not been set for when this will occur.

I'm so sorry to hear this. Glad that you are on the mend and wish you all the best!

Just curious,who performed your ablation?

Sorry to hear of the complications during your procedure BeachBill.

I hope the afib is gone and you can get off amiodarone soon. Wishing you the very best.

Hello Bill - So very sorry to read your news. What an ordeal for you. Please keep us informed.
I'm sending you an abundance of positive thoughts and good wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kind regards,
Jackie

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Lynn
Just curious,who performed your ablation?

Dr Wharton @ MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) in Charleston, SC.

I'm curious, in the context of teaching hospitals how does one know if students are or are not on the catheters? That has always been a concern of mine, as my ablation was also done at a teaching hospital although I know for a fact that the EP was the only operator in my case. I wonder if it is in all cases.

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wolfpack
I'm curious, in the context of teaching hospitals how does one know if students are or are not on the catheters? That has always been a concern of mine, as my ablation was also done at a teaching hospital although I know for a fact that the EP was the only operator in my case. I wonder if it is in all cases.

You ask in advance and get agreement from the EP. All but my last procedure were done in teaching hospitals and that's what I did. I believe they were true to their word.

5 ablations done in teaching hospitals? They didn't take so it didn't matter whether you asked for the top guy.

l

I would certainly want and expect my ablation done by a very experienced electrophysiologist and not someone who is "practicing" this procedure in a teaching hospital. That is a confirmation that I would want from my electrophysiologist before the procedure and would not want to proceed without that assurance. I realize that teaching hospitals must provide opportunities for doctors to learn the required techniques...but I don't want to be the one who provides that opportunity.

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Elizabeth
5 ablations done in teaching hospitals? They didn't take so it didn't matter whether you asked for the top guy.

I had the top guy every time. I've read the procedure reports so I know trainees weren't involved, but yes, your point remains. It highlights what's wrong with ablation procedures today. Just because your EP is the "top guy" in a small pond doesn't mean he's a "top guy" in the big pond. Being a "top guy" in the big pond only includes a few dozen EPs worldwide.

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JustMeToo
I would certainly want and expect my ablation done by a very experienced electrophysiologist and not someone who is "practicing" this procedure in a teaching hospital. That is a confirmation that I would want from my electrophysiologist before the procedure and would not want to proceed without that assurance. I realize that teaching hospitals must provide opportunities for doctors to learn the required techniques...but I don't want to be the one who provides that opportunity.

I whole heartily agree with this post. I had asking my EP to confirm for me that he would be the only one involved in the procedure on by questions list and forgot to ask. I am now in the process of getting the ablation report. Hopefully, that will answer the question. Unfortunately, now it is just dealing with spelt milk.

Sorry to read of your experience Bill. Hope that you are doing well today.