Posted by Carl Plaskett on May 25, 2002 at 17:06:22:
In Reply to: Cure Rate posted by Val Vaughn on May 25, 2002 at 14:09:31:
Val: With no other heart problems, I think the stated cure rate from Dr. Millar, Dr. McCarthy, Dr. Cox, and probably others, easily reaches over 95% overall within 6 months (including some patients who might need a little flutter touch-up ablation, low drug dosage, or a pacer post maze). Considering the afib cure rate for all mazers, including those with really significant other problems, is about 90%, it is a pretty good bet for a new life.
Some doctors seem to include those on drugs or pacers following the maze, among the "cured" because they are not experiencing afib. As Jack says (and experienced), some discharge their patients with no drugs, and those patients do fine. Others prescribe anti-arhythmic drugs and coumadin, perhaps as a precautionary measure, and perhaps just to keep their patients from getting upset if some irregular beats start post maze. Very few people take as much medication post maze as they did pre-maze, so even if you did have to take some for awhile, you would probably be on a much more tolerable dosage.
I took Rythmol for several weeks, post maze, and have yet to have afib since leaving the CC, 16 months ago today!