Posted by Terry Gann on November 20, 2001 at 10:37:12:
In Reply to: Cardiologists approval or disapproval of Maze posted by SuLynn Mester on November 20, 2001 at 00:38:26:
SuLynn,
Most of us have experienced some degree of hesitation on the part of our cardiologists to inform or support their a-fib patients about the Maze procedure. I have found that very few medical personnel (including nurses, technicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians)even know what the Maze procedure is. So I have been doing my part to educate them. My sister and I are extremely fortunate to have a general practitioner who understands how debilitating a-fib can be, and took the intiative to research it and talk to the surgeons who are performing the procedure. Of course, I was the one who did the initial research (on the internet - thank goodness I found this site!) Since my surgery I have changed cardiologists - I had a bout of pericarditis; my gp sent me to see my old cardiologist - he said,"Don't worry about it. You'll be fine." Well, I wasn't fine, my temp was elevated, my sed rate was elevated and I was in great pain. My gp quickly referred me to another cardiologist who has been quite supportive and I am feeling much better. My gp group feels that my original cardiologist was somewhat angry when he (the gp) bypassed him in the Maze research and was responsible for getting an appointment for us at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. McCarthy. I believe that the problem with cardiologist support is two-fold. First, many of them are ignorant of the procedure. This simply amazes me -that this has been around since the 80's and these professionals aren't informed about it. I am a CPA - if I was as behind on keeping up with new procedures and regulations as the cardiologists, I would not have a practice!!! Secondly, I think that the majority of the patients that they see in their everyday practice who have a-fib are elderly patients who have other heart problems and the a-fib is a side effect of these problems. My father is one of these patients - he doesn't even feel his a-fib! For patients such as me and my sister, the a-fib could definitely be felt and it was extremely debilitating. To hear from these cardiologists that it was a "benign" condition was ridiculous. The medicines to treat it can be terrible too! I thank God on a daily basis that we (the Maze alumni and their families) found this Maze procedure to be the cure they have waited for. I too wish that the medical community could be more informed and more supportive for their a-fib patients. I'm doing what I can to educate them!
Terry