Wife has been having some heart problems. She goes in next week for an heart cath and ablation. Then they will install an ICD the following day. Was wondering if any of you or someone close to you has had an ICD implanted? Doctor is telling us she should be able to return to all normal activites. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Boiler
Pacemakers and Defibulators
- Thread starter boilermaker
- Start date
I can give u practical experience working with patients who have an ICD, and I can give u first hand happened to me type knowledge on the ablation.
On the ICD, not too bad of a procedure, but might leave her sore for a bit, but she'll probably be more sore in the groin from the cath and ablation. Depending on how she's built, might be raised a bit above the rest of her torso.
Sounds like she's having life threatening tachy arrhythmias such as SVT or V-Tach, am I correct? Hopefully, the ablation will take care of most if not all of her problems, and the ICD will literally "kick" (that's what it will feel like, a mule kick) in if her heart goes into one of the aforementioned arrhythmias.
I've had the ablation. They did mine in the right groin through the big vein there. It is supposed to be a 2-4 hour procedure, mine took 6, so don't be alarmed if hers takes that long. They will insert the sheath and catheters through this vein. It will be done under conscious sedation with drugs such as Fentanyl, Versed, or possibly Cetamine, and they will most likely restrain her, so, tell her not to be alarmed if she's groggy and feels like her arms are tied down because they are! After they "map" her heart and conduction system, they will pace her heart or likely give a drug called Isopryl to illicit her abnormal beats/arrhythmias, then "burn" the areas where these abnormal beats originate. This is done with a type of radiation.
Her prep will be no food after midnight, an IV, placement of defibrialltor pads and EKG leads, 2 or 3 pads on her back, and whatever shave prep in and around the groin.
She will be able to see a few monitor screens, and a flouroscope which will be rotating over her constantly so the docs can visualize the heart and see what they are doing.
She'll be in and out of consciousness, kind of like falling asleep, waking up, and being very drowsy. The only problem I had with mine was itching on my face (caused by one of the drugs) that I could not scratch because my hands were restrained.
Recovery is taking it easy for a few days, some soreness in the heart area is to be expected, and I was very sore in my groin for about 6 days (but I overdid it too quickly and went right back to work). She'll have considerable bruising in the groin and where the ICD is implanted.
If u can think of any more specific questions, post them.
I think she'll do great with the procedures, and feel better, and not be so scared of going into the arrhythmias all the time. GL!
On the ICD, not too bad of a procedure, but might leave her sore for a bit, but she'll probably be more sore in the groin from the cath and ablation. Depending on how she's built, might be raised a bit above the rest of her torso.
Sounds like she's having life threatening tachy arrhythmias such as SVT or V-Tach, am I correct? Hopefully, the ablation will take care of most if not all of her problems, and the ICD will literally "kick" (that's what it will feel like, a mule kick) in if her heart goes into one of the aforementioned arrhythmias.
I've had the ablation. They did mine in the right groin through the big vein there. It is supposed to be a 2-4 hour procedure, mine took 6, so don't be alarmed if hers takes that long. They will insert the sheath and catheters through this vein. It will be done under conscious sedation with drugs such as Fentanyl, Versed, or possibly Cetamine, and they will most likely restrain her, so, tell her not to be alarmed if she's groggy and feels like her arms are tied down because they are! After they "map" her heart and conduction system, they will pace her heart or likely give a drug called Isopryl to illicit her abnormal beats/arrhythmias, then "burn" the areas where these abnormal beats originate. This is done with a type of radiation.
Her prep will be no food after midnight, an IV, placement of defibrialltor pads and EKG leads, 2 or 3 pads on her back, and whatever shave prep in and around the groin.
She will be able to see a few monitor screens, and a flouroscope which will be rotating over her constantly so the docs can visualize the heart and see what they are doing.
She'll be in and out of consciousness, kind of like falling asleep, waking up, and being very drowsy. The only problem I had with mine was itching on my face (caused by one of the drugs) that I could not scratch because my hands were restrained.
Recovery is taking it easy for a few days, some soreness in the heart area is to be expected, and I was very sore in my groin for about 6 days (but I overdid it too quickly and went right back to work). She'll have considerable bruising in the groin and where the ICD is implanted.
If u can think of any more specific questions, post them.
I think she'll do great with the procedures, and feel better, and not be so scared of going into the arrhythmias all the time. GL!
Thanks SixFive. Sounds like she will be very sore for a few days. She is a ER Nurse and plans on taking about 8 days off after the surgery. We love to go to Vegas and were wandering the effects of slot machines on the ICD? Visited Guidant ICD site and it listed being around slot machines as a caution. They said to try and keep the device at least 12 inches away from the machine. Do you have any experience with anyone you know and slot machines? You would never think of my wife as someone with heart problems. Non smoker, drinks very seldom, healthy eater and not over weight. Exercises and also use to teach a yoga class. Again thanks Boiler
lol, u should have told me she was a nurse, she probably knows about all I posted! I gave the layman's version.
Have no clue about the slot machines, sorry!
Have no clue about the slot machines, sorry!
My mom had a defib put in. She was passing out from to many skips in here heart beats. It would dam near stop. Mom is 85 and they put her under to do this. She had no trouble but was sore for about 3/4 months. It works real good she has not had anymore fainting spells. she had this put in 4 years ago.
boilermaker,
why don't you ask the doctor or call up the mfg or distributor ?
my thoughts will be with your wife & family.
why don't you ask the doctor or call up the mfg or distributor ?
my thoughts will be with your wife & family.
