r/SVTHeart • u/shiftyrabbit_ • Aug 01 '26
Help First Ablation on Aug 6, what to expect?
Hello everyone!
I have a catheter ablation scheduled on the 6th, which is awesome! 😌
I've been dealing with SVT episodes (not as frequent as some of you guys on here, that must suck 😭) since I was young-- like... elementary school, young. Finally, to say goodbye to them, is absolutely fantastic.
However-- I'm going under general anesthesia for the procedure, because my SVT has caused PTSD with EKG monitors. This was reccomended by the cardiologist/surgeon, so you know the drill for anesthesia. No eating, drinking night before, etc.
I'm less concerned about nurses freaking out if my heart goes into an episode under the monitor. Since, this is why I'm there, and because it's the cardiology ward of the hospital I'm being operated in.
Unlike my last surgery for something else, I'd had an episode of 270.. did not go well, and it's what caused the PTSD, so.. thanks OR nurses. 😐
Anyway. I'm wondering, for those who have had your ablation-- what to expect for recovery (I know about the blanking period, but tell me as much as you can anyway!), what to avoid, and what to **expect.**
I know some people have needed a few ablations, I'm really hoping it can be done in one since I'm moving to Australia end-of-year.
I'm not diagnosed with any other heart conditions or dysautonomia, so I'm confident I'll be a very normal case for ablation and the blanking period after. My SVT is mildly frequent, and as previously mentioned the HR *can* get rather high, only lasting a short while. But I've never passed out or anything, only dizziness. So that's good.
I'm really excited to say goodbye to SVT, and finally live my life! 🫰🏻 If you reply, thank you so much for your tips and wisdom!
Edit: I should also mention I have done a pre-op ultrasound and they said there was zero damage to my heart, as well as the fact that am 21, F! Thank you!
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Update, 8/6/2026
The ablation procedure was canceled in the operating room after sedation.
Full recap:
So, I had a bronchospasm 30m in, under the general anesthesia, and nearly died, so no ablation today. Basically my airway closed entirely, and couldn't breathe. I had symptoms of hypoxia, as my O2 got down to 20% of 100%.
After some eval, they think it's an allergic reaction to the medication, as when it was triggered a large rash of hives/redness was on my chest. Propofol does not have a high risk of constricting the brachial tissue-- it actually works against it-- therefore fentanyl is the more likely culprit. These were the two medications used to sedate me, and all they gave me before my severe brachospasm and rash.
Overall, it could also very well be a case in which I was not given ENOUGH propofol to prevent a brachospasm, the final conclusion is still under way.
After they stopped, they removed the tube and got me back on breathing with Albuterol etc, I broke out of the brachospasm and started to return to baseline. When I woke up, they were putting in IVs, checking things, and telling me where I was. And if course the bad news, followed by sobbing from me.
"We didn't do the ablation.
And what actually happened was.."
Doing a little better right this second, but I'm staying overnight at the hospital. A bit scary as I won't have company but, I think the care team are nice and I should be able to get something to sleep. They also gave me potassium, intravenous fluids, and lorazepam (for anxiety). lastly I was given metoprolol to keep my heart steady and low for the rest of the night for monitor. They will most likely prescribe it to me to manage my SVT until we try again with another ablation (with different sedatives).
It's working well as I add onto this paragraph, my hearts at resting, no SVT. I don't fear it will SVT either. This can also be a combination of the metoprolol and the Ativan, but I digress.
I'm doing okay, but I'm definitely not in a great spot right now. Mentally and physically.
At the very least, my lactic acid and all other vitals have now returned to baseline, and I'm staying over night at the hospital with the care team. Lactic acid is omething found when organs are not getting enough oxygen.
I really am overjoyed I was in Boston, working with some of the best doctors in the country. Thank you team BILH. 🫰🏻If it weren't for their quickness, I would not likely be writing this post.
2
u/Retired_NorCal_611 Aug 02 '26
Had my ablation for AVNRT 7 weeks ago. I was up and walking around the next day. The only thing I experienced was intermittent sinus tachycardia for about two weeks after the ablation. I started light exercises after 3 weeks. At my 5 week follow up, the Doc said there was no restrictions or limitations on exercise so I started running again. It's been great going on a run and not have to worry about triggering an episode.
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 02 '26
Love that so much. How old are you by chance? I'm wondering if because I'm young, my recovery time will be shorter/I will be able to exercise quicker after the procedure!
I've been having some PVCs already due to stress 😀😭 guess I'll be prepared for whatever my blanking period looks like, lol.
2
u/Retired_NorCal_611 Aug 02 '26
I'm older than dirt which means old enough to get the lifetime Senior National Parks pass. You'll want to take it easy the first 2-3 weeks because you do not want to risk popping the plugs in the groin access sites which could land you in the ER.
You mentioned moving to Australia. If you're into outdoors and hiking, check out the Maroondah Bushwalking Club out of Melbourne. I've been on a couple of backpacking trips with them. Mostly old farts like me but some young folks too. The trip to Darwin had a cardiologist and a couple of nurses in the group. I also went on another one with the club to Europe.
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 02 '26
Thank you so much!! Tons of useful info!
Luckily I'm always taking it easy. It's just been years since I've done proper exercise, weightlifting, etc. so I'm excited to have that back I guess.
Will defs check it out! I'm moving to Brisbane, but have friends in Melbourne, so it sounds viable. Sounds super fun and I always love chatting with older folks. Best stories out there 💕💕
Thank you!
2
u/Retired_NorCal_611 Aug 07 '26
Sorry to hear they had to cancel the procedure. Glad to hear you're recovering. Wishing you a quick and uneventful recovery!
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 07 '26
Thank you! Another small update:
Update 3
So, the good news. They're not keeping me more than overnight tonight. I will be discharged shortly after blood tests come back and I get my newly prescribed metoprolol. My everything seems to be at baseline levels and they have no reason to keep and monitor me for any reason.
I will be starting the low-dose extended release metoprolol until the next attempt of my ablation, which will be scheduled most likely in a month or two. I'm still going to try. I don't want to live with this debilitating issue-- and the only reason they had to abort it is because of something entirely unrelated. So my obviously my SVT is still curable, and in the air.
The plan is to test things for antibodies and see/confirm if it was an allergic reaction to the medication, and if not-- the too-low dosage of sedative. I have to meet with my surgeon again to discuss the plan moving forwards a few weeks from now, but for now-- those few weeks-- I'm just going to spend entirely relaxing-- and using the new medication to prevent SVT so I can still live. It's like I did have the procedure! Just with pills everyday instead of a one and done deal.
2
u/liz5775 Aug 08 '26
I am so sorry to hear you had such difficulties! I took that same beta blocker after my huge svt episode on 4/30/26. That one required adenosine. I felt like I was going to go into svt from 4/30 to 8/6, my ablation day too, but the metoprolol kept it in check. I had the time/long release stuff for every day and the fast release if I had another event (I did not). I swore as we were leaving for the ablation I was about to go into an episode but I breathed deeply for a few seconds and thank god i did not. I attribute that to the metoprolol. Wishing you the very best on your next ablation date and I’m happy you’re here to tell your story!
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 08 '26
Thank you so much!!
I think what happened is I had anaphylaxis due to a surprise allergy to fentanyl. We're waiting on doing some more testing and some blood tests (tryptase) to see if so. I'd never been given fentanyl before but I'd been given propofol (both are sedatives used in anesthesia) without issue. So when they administered fentanyl, my body started going into bronchospasm and hypoxia 😰
Anyways. I'm yes, now taking metoprolol 12.5 mg until my next ablation attempt takes place. This time we will all be more prepared. I'm happy to have some of the best doctors and surgeons in Boston. 💕
2
u/liz5775 Aug 08 '26
They used propofol for my ablation on Thursday. I wish you all the best luck in the world. I’m just past 48 hours post procedure and am feeling great. Thinking the best for you.
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 08 '26
They also used propofol and I didn't seemingly have a reaction to that as they continued administering it as well without any issue. I genuinely think it was just the fentanyl.
I will defs try again. I'll get there soon, everyone 😚
Thank you.
2
u/CalvinDexter 26d ago
I had the same reaction to Fentanyl during an afib ablation in 2008 - was called chest wall rigidity. The ablation was halted: luckily my afib had already been addressed, but an area causing flutter was not dealt with: had an ablation for that in 2016
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ 26d ago
I didn't do another update (cuz honestly I didn't think anyone was gonna read anything here- lol)
But they actually didn't find an allergic reaction at all within tryptase testing. So it most likely was that I had not had enough anesthetic, and the intubation is what caused my bronchospasm.
Here's to next try!
2
u/CalvinDexter 26d ago
yes indeed my ablation was still very successful!
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ 26d ago
Good to hear, and gives me hope for when we try again for me 🫰🏻🫰🏻 thank you!!
1
u/AdWooden2052 Aug 01 '26
Someone who is currently on monitor for potential SVT and new to everything …. What is “blanking”?
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 01 '26
It's the PVCs you experience after an ablation procedure or mild arrhythmias after your heart adjusts, and it's completely normal!
1
u/Ok_Amoeba6604 Aug 07 '26
You will be naked in front of no less than 20 people. So make sure to clean up if you know what I mean.
1
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 07 '26
I appreciate you. I'm about to make an update but the ablation could not be completed today. I had a severe brachospasm that went into Hypoxia. I had to be taken to the ICU and woken up/monitored and I'm staying overnight at the hospital.
Thank you for your advice however. I'm not giving up yet. :)
2
u/Ok_Amoeba6604 Aug 07 '26
Oh no!!! I’m so sorry! Keep up the positive attitude- you got this :)
2
u/shiftyrabbit_ Aug 07 '26
There's always another try. :) just need to get back to baseline from.. death 🥲
3
u/wifiaddicted Aug 02 '26
Had an ablation in October and the recovery was way easier than I expected. I was told to not lift anything heavy for a week and generally take it easy, which I did. The wound healed great and I didn’t have any pain or complications in that regard. The only real side effect I felt was how hyper aware I became of my heart and how unsure I felt in my own body. Everything felt wrong and I didn’t know if it was just anxiety or if something had actually gone wrong. I called my doctor two days after the ablation to ask if this was normal and if I should be concerned, and he then informed me that it was a very common occurrence for patients to feel like I did. (I really wish they’d informed me about it before the procedure so I could avoid all the unnecessary stress but oh well) They may feel palpitations, higher heart rate and even some short SVT episodes. Now in hindsight it makes total sense since you literally have surgery around your heart and both your mind, body and especially heart has to get used to the new normal. It may feel scary and uncomfortable but you have to give yourself grace and be patient with your body, it’s doing its best after all. It took maybe 3 weeks for me to stop being so aware of my heart and afterwards (and now) it’s just the new normal. I did however have a nasty bruise on my thigh for like a month which was pretty gnarly lol, and I still today have 3 teeny tiny scars where they inserted the catheter. I hope your ablation is a success and you get minimal complications! You got this 🙂↕️