Posted by Carl Plaskett on February 20, 2002 at 11:42:21:
For those who missed the "live" internet presentation from the CC on 2/06, it is now available on their archives.
Go to www.clevelandclinic.org/health A pop-up window should appear, click on the "Irregular Heartbeat...", fill out the registration (you may have to download viewing software, which is free), and then watch it.
The presentations by Dr. Natalie and Dr. Gillinov were very informative. The current developments (as evidenced by Wayne Cook's post, several days ago) are really exciting. The shorter times on the heart/lung machine with the maze and the improved techniques which reduce cutting/bleeding, along with the rapidly improving ablation techniques are promising to provide renewed hope for afibbers everywhere.
We already know that the maze procedure, as experienced by many of us, even in the last year, is becoming a thing of the past, thanks to these improvements. It would be nice, if someday soon, surgery for afib will be minimized except when other procedures are required.