Multiple location PVCs and mitral annular disjunction.
Recommendations are ablation for left ventricular PVCs in multiple locations or just a defibrillator for the mitral annular disjunction so additional medication can be used to subdue the PVCs. Currently taking Metoprolol but a low dose as a higher dose lowers my heart rate too much. Anyone else have experience with this?
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No, no experience from me. However, if you're open to my thinking, I'll offer this:
A defibrillator must be monitored periodically and must be maintained/replaced when needed. An ablation, if the first one works, is a one 'n done. If your arrhythmia is fixed, you also won't need any medications...ostensibly. You'll still need them if you have a defibrillator...or I THINK you may have to.
I'm not a doctor, so I don't know if you should be on an anti-coagulant for your condition. But, you might also need that in addition to the metoprolol if you need a defib to correct an arrhythmia now and then. If so, yet more drugs, maybe not now, but later if your heart continues to remodel itself, or if you develop SVT or...whatever.
Can they not repair the disjunction?
Apparently the MAD is not thoroughly studied. The doctor will do an EP study to determine if a defibrillator is necessary as that is the current “fix” for the disjunction. I have PVCs in many different locations that are not guaranteed to be ablated.
I had AFIB during three operations; otherwise, no sign of it. I wore a Holter for a month after my bypass and also after a cancerous kidney removal. I never had a bad EKG. I do get PVC's occasionally due to stress. The cardiologist is keeping me on the Apixaban!
Have you googled the side effects of apixaban?? I did and no way would I take it.
I've had two ablations ( second one had to be done cryogenically - as opposed to Rf heat- at Mayo Phoenix).
they didn't work.
Then we tried pummeling them with meds - first Metoprolol and then Mexiletine. Had to get a pacemaker installed because the meds pushed HR too low. Meds did not even dent the PVC's. local dr has given up."you'll just have to 'live' with it."
Now I'm headed back to Mayo to see what else they have in their bag of tricks. My PVC's are asymptomatic, but I don't think it's a good thing.
I believe the Drs were all going about the matter logically - just need some new tricks.
any ideas??
I'm unclear of your history. You said you have had a pacemaker installed...and you still have PVCs? If so, it sounds like your AV node might still be active....? Or, you have a re-entrant for the signal from your pacemaker...somehow...and it should be mapped and zapped. I don't know if EP's do any catheterization in ventricles...never heard of it...but if it can be done, it sounds like you might be a candidate.
the first ablation was stopped b/c of the A/V node.
the ablation in Phx was cryogenic -b/c they wanted to contain the "damage."
when i left Phx i was without PVC's.
5 months later, "they're coming from everywhere..."
kind of reluctant to have another ablation....but i am on the conveyor belt in Phx and shall see what they say
If you feel you'd like to play the field a bit, and have some resources and willingness to seek other opinions, I can recommend Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardia Arrhythmia Institute in Austin. He's right up at the top in the USA. Also Dr. Santangeli at Cleveland Clinic. I have no knowledge of Mayo Clinic electrophysiologists, but don't doubt for a second that many/most of them are top notch.
I will be curious to see what decision you make.