Posted by Carl Plaskett on August 17, 2002 at 09:50:46:
In Reply to: MVP & AFib posted by Mike Ware on August 17, 2002 at 08:12:52:
Mike: Again, my LAYMAN'S observations: Several people have reported that while they expected to have mitral valve repair AND the maze, the surgeons found that the valve worked fine after they reduced the atrium size/volume a bit while removing the atrial appendage, subsequently eliminating the need for valve surgery. I THINK many of us have experienced an enlargement of the left atrium because of afib and this has contributed to the mitral valve becoming "distorted" (MY discription). It is apparent that many people with MVP also have afib, and that both conditions can contribute to blood clotting, I don't know the causative relationship.
A number of folks here have "self-referred" themselves to the CC and have found that Dr. McCarthy has subsequently referred them to Dr. Natale's department if he (McCarthy) didn't think a maze procedure was necessary (or possible). If you contact Dr. McCarthy's office directly and have your records, etc. sent to them, I would not imagine Dr. McCarthy being "territorial" as you might imagine. Stories of others, like Angie Strand, Wayne Cook (who has posted on the AF Page Message Board), and some others who first saw Dr. McCarthy but ended up with an ablation, may set your mind at ease.
By the way, I had my aflutter cardioverted yesterday, and even though I have been having a busy day since 7AM, my HR is right at 68. If it happens more than once in a year and a half, I will get a touch-up ablation.
Good luck, and keep posting questions as they come to mind.
- Re: MVP & AFib Mike Ware 11:16:49 8/17/2002 (1)
- Re: MVP & AFib Ed Wehan 21:24:27 8/17/2002 (0)