Posted by Carl Plaskett on November 08, 2001 at 20:46:22:
In Reply to: Re: Ablation vs Maze posted by TC on November 08, 2001 at 19:24:26:
TC: Now you've asked me to remember everywhere I have read references to what I REMEMBER reading about ablations. Certainly a lot has to do with WHERE the ablation is going to take place in the heart, but since many "errant" electrical impulses take place at the opening or entrance to the pulmonary vein (or artery), these are places where, if the ablation tip is not accurately controlled, the "burn" creating scar tissue can be "off" by a very small amount and it can contribute to a closing or narrowing of this opening
(stenosis). Given that this procedure is often or even usually done without open heart surgery, control of the ablation instrument is crucial, and certainly more difficult than when a surgeon can see, without the use of a "scope", exactly where he is working. Given the small tolerances, it is easy to see how they don't always work as well as wished. I am not sure if stenosis can be corrected at a later date. It is my UNDERSTANDING that blood clots could also form during this procedure, and since there is no heart/lung machine in use, such clots could be carried quickly to one's brain. Further, and this is ONLY my layman's opinion, I would THINK that someone who ends up with pronounced stenosis, from whatever cause, would have less efficient blood flow and clots MIGHT form in the atrial appendages, which also COULD contribute to stroke.I am SURE someone else has a much better description of the "WHYS" TC asked about, but without going back to many sites I have read, but not recorded info from, this is the IMPRESSION I have formed from what I have read.
Someone else-PLEASE add to this OR CORRECT me if I have the wrong impression.
- Re: Ablation vs Maze Bill Hawley 09:35:32 11/09/2001 (1)
- Re: Ablation vs Maze TC 14:38:53 11/09/2001 (0)