Posted by Joss on January 15, 2002 at 09:15:05:
In Reply to: Re: MAZErs in the UK ? posted by John White on January 14, 2002 at 13:02:33:
Dear Vicky,
My Cardio is Dr.Edward Rowland of the Harley Street Clinic, who is a very nice doctor and very understanding. He has a friend who does the Maze at the Papworth Hospital, his name being Dr.Stephen Large, Dr.Large is a very approachable chap and replies to e-mails, well he did to my 2 or 3 )From my last e-mail from Dr. Large he had carried out 60 mazes with an 80% success rate, 2 deaths which were because the patients had really bad complications with their hearts. I believe one was 3 months after and the other a 2 1/2 years.
Dr.Rowland has sent 12 patients to Dr. Large for the maze and all are in NSR so he told me in November 2001.
Below are his replies to me:
Thanks. 80% have converted to sinus rhythm leaving the remaining 20% in
either AF or atrial flutter. The way for them has largely been pace and
ablate. What of death. Like others we have seen death associated with the
maze. Happily this is usually in association with complex problems such as
valvular and ischaemic heart disease plus AF. So far the total is 2 out of
the 60 patients and both were complex, one dying at 30 days from a complex
pericardial problem and the other 2 and half years later coming with heart
failure and going on to die of heart failure. To operate is a big step and
seen as such by cardiologists. It is probably for this reason that we haveThanks for getting in touch. I have undertaken some 60 maze procedures
(standardized surgical atrial based incisions to produce conversion from AF to sinus rhythm)over the last 10 years. In addition we have been responsible
for some modifications to Dr Cox's original maze. I believe that most of us world-wide use this method now. Interestingly I work closely with Ed Rowlands! We have recently submitted our work at Papworth to HEART, an international journal covering such problems as intractable atrial fibrillation. Successful conversion to sinus (regular) rhythm is of the order of 80%. I urge you to discuss the maze with Dr Rowlands saying that we have corresponded. Should he suggest that you are not a candidate because of your ablation we can always create an atrial based rhythm by the addition of a dual chamber pacemaker. I do hope that these words are of help and that they have not created more confusion and doubt for you.With good wishes
Stephen Large
Only operated upon 60 patients to date. I wish you well in your
deliberations with Dr Rowland.Best wishes,
Stephen Large