Electrophysiologic Study

[Dorothy]

I would appreciate any input about the EP study. I had a myectomy in Aug. of 2000. Am now on Toprol XL, 150 mg., once daily; along with a full aspirin. No other meds, at this point.

Problem arose in Sept 2003 with A-flutters. Was put on Sotalol, but taken off while still in hospital - liver enzymes rose too high. Unfortunately, I had another episode of A-flutters Oct., too. At this time the EP study was ordered. I have been in contact with Dr. Lever in Cleveland to set up this appointment. I haven't heard back from his office, as yet.

Has anyone had this done? And, if so, was a radio frequency ablation performed at that time? My concern is I also have a left-bunch bundle block. How does this play into the picture? If you kill a route that works, even if not well, what happens??????? I guess I'm just a bit concerned.

Lisa, thanks for our phone conversations. As yet, I've not been put on Coumadin. I guess they are waiting for the test to be performed before starting anything different. I have been taking the aspirin before bedtime, as you suggested. I had another EKG with my downstate cardiologist. It was the first time that I saw those "skipped" beats on record!

Thanks for any input.

Dorothy

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

Hi,

Let me be clear on one item, Dorothy's doc suggested the asprin. The timeing of when to take it was discussed.
Re the EP test, I would speak to Dr. Lever as he is the one who treated you in the past and knows your case well.

Be well,
Lisa

[Sarah]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

D--

i second the motion to check with Dr. Lever. ep studies are rarely useful in HCM patients. they also carry their own risks, too. if they are looking for sudden death risk, then they should evaluate you on the known risk factors instead of turning your heart off an on.

my two cents.

s

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

I spoke to Dr. Lever, he is home today and is a little under the weather. He should be back in the office next week. I would give him a follow up call on Tuesday.

Lisa

[Dorothy]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

Lisa and Sarah, thanks for your input. I shall try to be more patient and wait until Dr. Lever can review my history and talk directly with me. When I get a thought going, I try to run with it to find answers quickly. Not always a good strategy.

I'll keep you posted as events happen. Sorry to hear that Dr. Lever is under the weather. We've already had snow up here in the "North" country! Just snow showers! I'll try not to send any your way; but, I don't have the final say on that!

Dorothy

[Cynaburst]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

Dorothy - I am interested to hear what your doctors recommend. I have also been experiencing atrial flutters. I already have an ICD and I didn't have an EP study to help me decide, but I wonder whether an ablation might cure the problem. My doctors are very hesitant to give me antiarrythmic drugs because they say that it can cause worse problems that I already have.

I have also started taking one aspirin a day.
Why did Lisa suggest you take it at night? I take mine in the morning.

Please keep me posted. Best of luck.

Cynthia

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

In this case many docs would use a stronger blood thinner. In this case Dorothy said she could feel events coming on, we discussed that this would be difficult if she was sleeping...so that was a simple suggestion.

Anyone in A/F really should be on thinners. I think her doctors will be dealing with this soon.


Lisa

[Cynaburst]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

I am actually taking the aspirin to keep my blood pressure up and my volume higher. As an added bonus, I figured I might as well get the anticoagulation (I was previously taking Motrin for the same reason.) I am only having up to 8 or 9 beats at a time, so I am not being treated for the atrial arrythmia as of yet. It is just very disconcerting, and I am paranoid, as my dad has had 2 strokes.

[Reenie]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

Cyn, I know how weird that feels. My arrhythmias were described in my records as "possible atrial flutter" & "probable atrial flutter." When I asked Lisa what that meant, she said that there is debate if there is any difference betwwen atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation that isn't sustained. I hated that feeling.

Reenie

[Cynaburst]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

Reenie - Did you ablation cure the arrythmia? Did you ever feel like fainting, or did you? (I know you don't have HCM, but sympathy is nice!)

[Reenie]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

It did cure me. I haven't had an episode since the ablation and I'm unmedicated. You know, I never fainted. I would feel sort of weak, maybe a little nauseous, but mostly a little disoriented. You have to remember, though, that I felt this way since I was a small child and I didn't know any different. It never scared me. Maybe that's because I always had it and I thought it was normal. I think if I had them start as an adult I might describe the feeling and fear differently. Know what I mean? Like many here, I didn't know that I was the weird one that felt my heart beat when others couldn't.

Reenie

[Sarah]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

I just want to pipe in that Reenie's ablation, in case anyone reading this doesn't know, was NOT an alcohol septal ablation, but a radio frequency ablation for an arrhythmia. No septal tissue was involved, as she doesn't have HCM.

R--I'm your official footnoter! I hope you don't mind.

s

[Reenie]

Re: Electrophysiologic Study

No problem, Sarah. I need somebody checking up on me.

Reenie