Posted by John W. Gross on November 22, 2002 at 13:18:14:
In Reply to: Long-term effects and success rate posted by Tom Watson on November 22, 2002 at 05:53:20:
Tom, When I was doing my research (in 1996) and trying like you to figure out what to do about this condition I was told by Dr. Cox (who developed the MAZE procedure), the Mayo Clinic, and the Texas Heart Institute that there was over a 90% cure rate with MAZE surgery. Some of this information I was able to get in writing and show to my doctors in an effort to get them to refer me for insurance purposes to have this surgery.
I had MAZE surgery over three years ago and no A-FIB since. I too was on Tambacor which for me along with the other arrhythmia drugs was worse than the A-Fib. This is a tough condition for someone who is symptomatic.
As to the long term affects I have spoken to some folks who had this surgery over 10 years ago now and are still in NSR and doing fine. A lot of other considerations come into play that will determine how well one does over time often not related to having MAZE surgery. Infact if they did not have MAZE surgery their heart condition would be far worse.
The heart as well as the entire human organism is quite complex. It amazes me how well it all works most of the time.