Posted by Henry Alken on June 19, 2002 at 15:42:08:
In Reply to: 4 weeks post maze and cardioversion posted by Woodland Anne on June 19, 2002 at 11:45:27:
Ann,
I read your post. So here are some comments from an untrained, medically ignorant person:1. Cardioversion:
You don't have to go the Mayo for a cardioversion. Your local hospital can do it for you. It has been my experience that the cardioversion is basically used to get you into Sinus Rhythm (not necessarily NSR) so that you can be discharged from the hospital. I maybe too critical here.2. Maze-aware Cardiologists:
They basically do not exist except in the hospitals that perform the Maze. Even in New York City and Philadelphia, I do not believe the Maze is performed. My local cardiologist, a group with six doctors, told me none of them have ever met a maze patient before. They also told me they were not sure how to treat me. I use them for writing prescriptions only. I have found this Maze board to be the best source of guidance as to treatment - especially the posts from Steve Giddings, except for the brief times I have spoken to the doctors at CCF.3. Amiodarone:
Dr Schweikert, CCF, made an interesting, unprovoked, comment to me last week: "If I were given the choice between being on Amiodarone and having the Maze surgery, I would choose the Maze".4. What to do:
It seems to me that you need an EP study of your heart to see what is going on. As Dr Schweikert said to me last week: "I can't tell what is happening from your EKG. I won't know until I am inside your heart with the monitoring equipment"Good luck to you, Anne
Henry