Posted by Dave Funderburg on March 05, 2002 at 14:10:17:
In Reply to: Maze and symptoms posted by Vivian on March 04, 2002 at 20:21:09:
Vivian,
Most of the time when I was in A-Fib my symptoms were minimal. The slight amount of lightheadness and dizziness I had was related to the medication. I also never converted from medication. When I was first treated for A-Fib I was cardioverted and stayed in NSR with meds for over 5 years. Over the three years before my MAZE and valve repair I had over 50 cardioversions. My cardiologist did everything to keep me in NSR because of the strain and damage to the heart that occurs when one stays in a-fib for long periods of time. If your Doc is recommending the MAZE he is probably concerned with keeping your heart as healthy as possible. Cronic A-fib is a down hill journey for your heart. Your body is also on a down hill journey with many of the drugs used to control A-Fib. I became so accustomed to cardioversions that I never thought of the risk associated with that procedure. I had a valve repair and MAZE 8-21-01, I was in NSR for 5 days and was cardioverted two weeks after the surgery and have been in NSR since. My research indicated that the better shape I was in when I had the surgery the more complete my recover would be. It is a big decision. I made mine and have never looked back.
Good luck with your decision and God Bless.
- Re: Maze and symptoms Henry Alken 14:29:45 3/05/2002 (0)