Should I have ablation for SVT with mild MR and TR?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 49-year-old married female with two children aged 23 and 20. My height is 5 feet, and my weight is 120 pounds.

Presently, I am on Calan SR (Verapamil) 240 mg, half tablet daily in the morning. I have been having dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue for around the last 15 years. I was diagnosed with SVT, mild MR, and mild TR last year.

My doctor, the electrophysiologist, told me to do an ablation, but my cardiologist told me not to do it, as it is risky because of the mild MR and mild TR.

What am I to do?
Will my condition get worse with time?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

SVT (supraventricular tachycardia, a heart rhythm disorder that causes a very fast or erratic heartbeat) itself is not a life-threatening condition. It only causes bothersome symptoms of palpitations in some.

If SVT is well controlled without medicines, it is best. Otherwise, the Calan (Verapamil) tablet is okay to control SVT from occurring. If it is well controlled with medicine, it is okay.

If recurrent episodes of SVT occur despite medicines and symptoms are bothersome, then ablation is best to cure it. The cure rate with ablation is around 90 percent, and complications may occur in five percent of cases.

Mild MR (mitral regurgitation) and mild TR (tricuspid regurgitation) are usually monitored with regular follow-up and, in many cases, remain stable for years without causing major problems.

Your dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue should also be evaluated to see whether they are related to SVT or due to some other cause. Regular checkups with an echo and ECG (echocardiogram) will help monitor your condition better.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.