Prior to Surgery
- You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), Clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood thinners.
- Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.
- Discuss any possible bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that you may have.
- You will have blood samples taken in case you need a blood transfusion.
- Let your doctor know if you have a cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout or other illness prior to surgery. This may require that your reschedule your procedure.
- Do not smoke. This will help you to recover quicker.
On the Day of the Surgery
- You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
- Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
- Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
- You will be given a sedative medication through an IV to calm you and keep you resting during the procedure. Your leg at the site of the incision will also be numbed.
After Surgery
Most patients will remain in the hospital for a couple of days.
- You will have a dressing over your incision site for the next few days. You will need to keep the incision site dry and avoid showering.
- This procedure has a quick recovery with most patients feeling much better within the first week.
Recovery: what to expect in the next few weeks
- While you may feel much better after the first week, you need to follow your physician’s orders on recommended activities.
- In some cases, you may have to have additional procedures to fully correct the ventricular tachycardia.
- You will have follow-up appointments to monitor the device and to check on your heart condition.
Ventrical Tachycardia Ablation Q&A
What does VT ablation involve?
You will be given a sedative medication through an IV and the incision site will be numbed. The cardiologist makes an incision in your leg and inserts a catheter through your arteries and into the heart.
A shot of adrenaline is injected through the catheter to trigger the arrhythmia. When this happens, the cardiologist is able to identify the location of the arrhythmia and deliver a low-voltage current that seals the area and prevents future arrhythmias in the region.
How many incisions are made?
One incision is made in your upper thigh.
How long do I stay in the hospital?
Patients will normally remain in the hospital for a couple of days.
What is the recovery time?
Most patients feel better after the first few days.