Roby's Arrhythmia Story
Roby T. and his wife Mary are visibly shaken when they describe their tragic, 35-year history of various heart problems. Since his first attack in 1972 at the age of 34, Roby has had several pacemakers, 2 Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgeries, another heart attack, frequent hospitalizations, ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) implants and numerous medications to control his fast heart rate.
"The worst part was the ICD firing," he recalls. "It hit me like a baseball bat and knocked me over."
His wife, Mary, says he had been fairly upbeat through it all until the 'storms of ICD firings' started. "You could see the fear in his eyes," she reluctantly remembers. "He had to start taking antidepressants."
Through tears, Roby recounts the emotional struggle that came with his condition. "I couldn't even hold my two grandchildren. What if it fired while I was holding one of them and I had dropped him?"
Mary was afraid to leave him alone and the anxiety levels were taking their toll, even during sleep. Mary compares the experience with what post-traumatic stress disorder must feel like. "He became really anxious expecting a firing at any time," she says.
In fall 2007, he developed another arrhythmia complication after the ICD fired, leading him to seek treatment from an electrophysiologist. Dr. Scott Pollack recommended a catheter (cardiac) ablation. "I had given up," Roby says. "I didn't want another procedure." But Dr. Pollack and Mary prevailed in persuading him to undergo the ablation.
Seven months after the ablation, Roby continued to grow stronger. He happily reported, "I could walk up the stairs and take part in the activities around me." Roby, like so many others, is grateful for his second chance at life. "I'd like to thank Dr. Pollack and Biosense Webster for your research, your knowledge, and for helping people like me. You gave my life back to me where I can enjoy my family. I go outside and play with the grandchildren and even help Mary do the dishes now and again."
Remember, as with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a cardiologist or electrophysiologist can determine whether ablation is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. These need to be discussed with your doctor.
