Posted by Carl Plaskett on February 20, 2002 at 11:14:25:
In Reply to: Re: Suggestions for 73 year old with AFib posted by joan osran on February 20, 2002 at 10:38:12:
Joan: We are sorry to learn of your husband's death one year following the maze surgery; but it would be helpful to others if you could take the time, (as difficult as it might be to re-live the experience), to post some details.
It would be helpful to know when this procedure was performed and which version (I,II,or III, "beating heart",?) Was it open chest or minimally invasive?
Where was the procedure done? Did your husband have any other heart problems besides afib prior to surgery? Did he have any infection or other post-op complications? Did the surgery cure or reduce his afib?I realize that hindsight makes you wish he had not had the surgery, and that he might have lived longer without it, but providing the info above (and ANY other facts you feel would be informative) would be helpful to others.
If you have followed this board, or read the success stories from others, I am sure you realize that the overwhelming majority of maze patients are cured of afib. (The total cure rate for LAF patients at the Cleveland Clinic has been 98%, and above 92% for those with other problems-with NO fatalities).
Thank you for any insights you may be able to provide, and again, my condolences for your loss.