Posted by Carl Plaskett on April 07, 2002 at 11:35:52:
In Reply to: Help - Concerned Mazer and Dr. Razavi posted by Tim Hawkins on April 07, 2002 at 10:02:44:
Tim: Sorry I missed your call last night. I might have been able to lessen your concern then. I'll try now.
I don't know Dr. Razavi or where he gets his "numbers" or if he was just trying to prepare you for a "worst case scenario". I trust that you had "the best nurse" (who left the CC with you at discharge) in attendance at this last meeting, and that she can confirm the meaning of what he was saying? From the experience of just the dozens of mazers who have posted on this board before and after their procedures, I can only think of one who did not maintain NSR after a few months. There were 2 men in GA we have not heard from since a few weeks after their procedures, so I don't know how they have done long-term. While it certainly isn't scientific, I would venture to say that among those we were familiar with pre-maze, the success rate must be close to 98% at 4-5 months post surgery.
The CC own web site, in the video on "Keeping a Steady Rhythm, filmed on 2/06/02, either Dr. Natalie or Dr. Gillinov gave the same number (98%) for people who had LAF, and well over 90% for those with other heart problems as well.
If I were you, I would ask Dr. McCarthy or one of his assistants why the discrepancy.As far as the meds go: When I had a few hours of afib on my 4-5th night, McCarthy (I believe) prescribed 225mgx3 (probably because I am a "big guy"), but before the day was out, when I had only taken one, Dr. Hammer reduced me to 150mg, and a few days later, my EP at home reduced it to 75mg, for a few weeks. I found that my HR was approaching flutter when I was on 150mg, and that I felt much better at 75mg, and terrific when I stopped it altogether at less than a month out. I believe several other mazers from the CC have had similar experiences with post-maze Rythmol, which, considering the side effects of Rythmol (PDR:"...heart palpitations, heartbeat abnormalities (rapid, irregular, slow)". Gosh, aren't those the things we wanted to be rid of when we got the Maze?
In any case, I believe most of us who have had Rhythmol post-maze were soon off of it and feeling much better. I guess it is just part of the protocol for post-maze patients at some centers. Unfortunately, your doctor at home hasn't sent a few dozen folks to the CC as has mine, so he/she is probably not familiar with post-maze treatment. You might ask Dr. Hammer, if he is back, if you or your doctor can call him if you have any problems after leaving Cleveland.
- Re: Help - Concerned Mazer and Dr. Razavi Terry Gann 11:48:19 4/07/2002 (0)