Posted by Carl Plaskett on November 02, 2001 at 13:05:40:
In Reply to: My husband's A-fib posted by Jackie Robinson on November 02, 2001 at 09:05:23:
Jackie: I concur with Henry,John, Jack, & Dave, your husband's physicians have not been remiss in their treatment, unless your husband has exhibited some of the classic signs of blockage (chest pain, etc.). Dr. McCarthy wants a current cath so they will know what they are dealing with (possible bypass graft, valve repair) if and when they do the maze.
My experience was that I had some pain several years ago after I already was being treated for Afib. I went to the ER, was admitted, had a cath, echo, etc., and they decided that it was a muscle pull/strain from some heavy lifting I had done the day before. Pain along with Afib in the middle of the night (or ANYTIME!) is disconcerting. About 2 years later, I had an ablation, and another cath was performed. Finally, when I decided to have the maze, Dr. McCarthy wanted the same records as he wants for your husband. Since it had been 2 years since the previous cath for the ablation, Dr. McCarthy decided to do the cath at the CC rather than delay my maze by having it done by my EP at home.
Since my previous two had been perfect, they had no reason to suspect that there was any other problem. In the case of your husband, Dr. McCarthy wants some more current info. Relax, and hope that he will soon be rid of this curse and back to sharing his new life with you.