Irregular Heartbeat

[Unregistered]

I've recently been diagnosed with SVT and would like to know what, in addition to what I've already had done, will be needed to receive an SI.

I'm 46 years old and my last class 3 medical expired 3/2012, so I haven't flown for quite a while.

Back in June of this year, I saw my cardiologist about an irregular heartbeat that would occur mostly in the evenings after lying down for the night. It would usually subside after 20 mins or so. Once, it lasted for about 90 minutes.

I was put on a Holter monitor for 24 hours. The Holter revealed the palpitations were SVT, and I subsequently had an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test performed.

I had a followup visit in early July to discuss the results and was told that all tests were negative--no issues found. He gave me an Rx for Toprol XL, a small dose (12.5mg), for the SVT. For the first couple of weeks, I had some minor drowsiness due to the med, but that has completely cleared up, and the SVT has subsided.

He asked that I follow up with him in one year.

My question is, what documentation and test results should I bring to my AME to make sure he/she has everything needed for submission to FAA?

Thanks in advance!

 

[flyingron]

Hopefully a doc will be along soon, while both of those drugs are possibly allowed for controlled hypertension, the SVT (and the RF ablation) is going to throw you into the SI realm. You need an AME who has done these before or you're going to waste a lot of time. I suspect you're going to need recent holter results, ecg, and a full report from the treating physicians.

UPDATE: Found Doc Bruce's previous post on SVT: http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34657

 

[bbchien]

I would add to my 2010 post that the Holter must not show above 150 during the 24 hour period.

The current status letter HAS TO REFLECT limited symptoms only, no shortness of breath or activity limitation, clutching of the chest, etc.

A lot of airmen elect for the ablation, but I would caution to use a high volume center. Success (and complication) are very operator dependent. You want a guy who has done one....YESTERDAY. Not last month. In good hands the permanent ablation is very helpful.

And once done, if the holter is negative off meds, you no longer need a special issuance.

 

[Lucky]

A lot of airmen elect for the ablation, but I would caution to use a high volume center. Success (and complication) are very operator dependent. You want a guy who has done one....YESTERDAY. Not last month. In good hands the permanent ablation is very helpful.

And once done, if the holter is negative off meds, you no longer need a special issuance.

I vote for ablation.

 

[dtuuri]

I vote for ablation.

Well... I know someone who's been in a-fib for over a year and a specialist in the procedure is very reluctant to perform it due to their particular risk of death. In their case, apparently, it's expected to take from 6 to 8 hours of looking for the faulty circuit (my words ). If all that's true, ablation isn't a slam-dunk option.

dtuuri

 

[Lucky]

Well... I know someone who's been in a-fib for over a year and a specialist in the procedure is very reluctant to perform it due to their particular risk of death. In their case, apparently, it's expected to take from 6 to 8 hours of looking for the faulty circuit (my words ). If all that's true, ablation isn't a slam-dunk option.

dtuuri

I'm not sure any invasive procedures are a "slam dunk" but I understand your point.

 

[bbchien]

Well... I know someone who's been in a-fib for over a year and a specialist in the procedure is very reluctant to perform it due to their particular risk of death. In their case, apparently, it's expected to take from 6 to 8 hours of looking for the faulty circuit (my words ). If all that's true, ablation isn't a slam-dunk option.

dtuuri

Dave this is SOoooo operator dependent. For this one you go to a large center, and it has to be done in the first couple of years or they won't touch it.....

 

[Gary F]

Dave this is SOoooo operator dependent. For this one you go to a large center, and it has to be done in the first couple of years or they won't touch it.....

Afib ablation procedures carry significant risk and have limited success. Some patients are reasonable candidates while others less so. As stated earlier these procedures are highly operator dependent. There is a thorascopic pulmonary vein isolation procedure for afib that is probably superior to the percutaneous (through the vein) procedure for many people who are considering an ablation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimaze_procedure

 

[Jthamilton]

I'm all for ablation in the right hands. I referred good friend of mine last year for paroxysmal svt and he is loving it since he hasn't had any additional episodes.

Bruce, how does the FAA view it if he is able to be controlled with a simple beta blocker? Just curious.

I so wish instead of sending my colleague to become an AME I went so I would know these things.

 

[bbchien]

Bruce, how does the FAA view it if he is able to be controlled with a simple beta blocker? Just curious.
.

Eternal SI.