Well, I,had an ablation on May 10th for Atrial Tachycardia and it was a 'success' in that they ablated the SVT. The downside is that 1) they weren't able to ablate the left sided ectopics, and 2) I have lingering inappropriate sinus tachycardia. So now I am stuck trying different meds again to lower my resting heart rate and also control the ectopics.

On the monitor, the PACs were anywhere from 20-30% daily burden, with a daytime burden ranging from 10%-15%, and a nighttime burden of 30%-50%. The tachycardia was also prominent, with my overall average heart rate at 90, and frequent high rates with minimal exertion. The EP doesn't want me that high for very long as it can certainly cause some Cardiomyopathy.

The doctor is trying a few things to get the rate down, but as before, nothing is really helping with the PACs/bigeminy. This very frustrating. I'm either worn out from the ectopics and tachycardia, or worn out from the meds.

Sometimes it feels like I am spinning in circles. Will probably do another consult with Natale to get his opinion.

I'm sorry to see this, Megan. There is a wizard out there who can fix you, but it will take some thinking. Natale might not be able to help, but he might know of a colleague who is really adept at treating people with your circumstances.

Refresh my memory. Why weren't they able to ablate the ectopics?

Carey, they were in the process of mapping the left atrial ectopics and I went into sustained Atrial Tachycardia and stayed in it for about 45 minutes. They aborted the mapping of ectopics in order to ablate the SVT. In the process, they had to sedate me deeper then they had planned because they needed better breathing control for the ablation. After the sedation, they couldnt get the ectopics back again to finish mapping them. He is willing to go back in and get after it. But for now, I need control of at least the tachycardia.

As my father would have said, you can't win for losing.

That's how I feel,Carey. Looking more at the monitor report, I had 18 hours out of 24 with ectopic burden above 20%, 10 hours of those above 30%, and 6 hours above 40%. Also had tachycardia 31% of the monitor period. My last monitor was 12% tachycardia and I already had mild echo evidence of cardiomyopathy. I'm wondering how frequent an echo should be done, or just based on symptoms. I'll be checking back in on Monday with my EP. Will be trying a different med and will ask about that too.

The met+flec combo does not work for you? I take 12.5 met succinate twice daily, together with 50mg flec, twice daily.

While I am not happy (at all) that I am back on meds, I am in the middle of an overseas family vacation and it was either the meds, or a crappy vacation. This combo, for now, does the trick.

In a week I am back home and then in a month I have my 2nd holter scheduled for Natale, for a whole week. No meds, they said. That'll be VERY interesting I am sure.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2024 09:58PM by WhyMe.

The Metoprolol, and actually many of the beta blockers (Sotolol, Propranolol, and others) have stopped working entirely. I get absolutely no effect at all, even on the tachycardia. Its weird. I have a call in to the EP to see about trying Verapamil. In getting batty feeling, so maybe the side effects will be something I'm willing to accept for now vs constant palpitations, tachycardia, and no exercise tolerance...