Ablation for AVNRT produced RBBB - anyone else?

Posted by guardian @guardian, May 10, 2016

I am a physically fit 53 y/o male. I recently had a cathetar ablation for AVNRT. The additional pathway that was ablated was very close to my AV node. A side effect of the procedure was my EKG shows a RBBB. My electrophysiologist told me it is nothing to worry about. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks

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Welcome @guardian,
There are a few Connect members that I'd like to introduce you to. First meet @cyndiblaw who also has atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). @robot1 had a left bundle branch block.

On this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosed-with-svt-and-cant-seem-to-find-any/ several members talk about their experiences with ablation for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

@martishka, @topaz @gonefishinmt will you join me in welcoming @guardian?

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Hi @guardian:

Welcome to the discussion! We have a very diverse group of folks who have a large variety of heart related issues. Certainly more than a few who have experienced an ablation procedure of some flavor or another. Personally, my one SVT ablation attempt (about 2 years ago) was unsuccessful so I'm likely not going to be of much help on your specific problem.

However, perhaps for others on this thread, I will say that even tho it was a day surgery procedure, it left me with some significant bruising and pain to deal with for a couple of weeks following. I've since met with the electro-physiologist MD who did the procedure on two follow-ups and we decided not to pursue another ablation attempt. Why not? Following the first attempt he put me on Cartia and DC'd the beta blocker I was on and I've been relatively SVT free since then. The only significant episode I've had since the ablation attempt was early this year, when I went to the ER with pneumonia and had an SVT episode while hooked up to an EKG. Good fortune, I guess. They recognized it, injected adenosine and situation over.

You should know you are not alone. Even though we are all strangers, and have various heart rhythm issues, we share a common bond through our similar experiences and can certainly offer support through that avenue. You may not now be looking for support - only answers to your particular issues - but please maintain an open mic. We're here if you just want to share your experience with others. Who knows, you could end up having the answers for someone else who may benefit in some way from your story.

But, I get it if you are wanting to talk only with someone who has the specific issue you were left with. We're all looking for answers for some specific issue. And I hear you when you say you are a 53 y/o physically fit male...I'm an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman myself. And even tho I'm now 73 and have given up my more risky activities such as mt climbing and ski mountaineering, I refuse to relegate myself to a well padded armchair and accept my limitations. I still push the envelope every chance I get, much to my wife's chagrin.

So again, welcome to the group. You have a condition that you must be mindful of and you must take care of yourself in all aspects of life to stay healthy in order to do the things you most value. Involve your inner circle - your loved ones - in that endeavor, if you haven't already. Work with your physician team to balance your medications to get the most enjoyment out of life. That's really the bottom line here - learn to enjoy life no matter what your condition and limitations may be. And most of all, don't ever give up. Not on life, not on yourself and not on those around you.

Regards,

GEG
@gonefishinmt

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@colleenyoung

Welcome @guardian,
There are a few Connect members that I'd like to introduce you to. First meet @cyndiblaw who also has atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). @robot1 had a left bundle branch block.

On this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosed-with-svt-and-cant-seem-to-find-any/ several members talk about their experiences with ablation for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

@martishka, @topaz @gonefishinmt will you join me in welcoming @guardian?

Jump to this post

Hello Guardian, <br>I too had SVT, coupled with Atrial Fib and Atrial Flutter. I clocked in at 220 or more during episodes. My 5th ablation which was a pulmonary vein ablation solved the problem. I am not familiar with RBBB but I do know that post ablation I had several rhythm anomalies including some runs of SVT (short) Apparently this is common for several months post ablation, I was also weaned off of my heart meds over a 6 month period. That was 4 years ago and I am fine. Perhaps your RBBB will dissipate with time. <br>Hope you are feeling better. <br>Martishka

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I also have RBBB. (75 yrs old) ..Your doctor has the same approach to the<br>condition. ''nothing to worry about'... IF... it was LBBB then there's a<br>problem.. I was told by my health professional, if..IF... RBBB becomes a<br>problem...down the road... a 'pacemaker' can be inserted to correct the<br>mis-fireing of an electrical current to the 'heart'.. this procedure is<br>non-invasive and works well for electrical abnormalities....<br><br>Hope this helps.... live life and 'don't fret the 'small' stuff. that's my<br>motto... s<br>

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Thank you everyone for the responses and encouragement! I am about 2 months post ablation. Currently I'm not on any medication. I haven't had any further bouts of SVT but still experience occasional skipped heart beats. I am hopeful they will disappear over time. I work out regularly with weights and run for cardio.

Again thanks

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