Posted by Jack Drum on December 12, 2002 at 22:25:57:
In Reply to: maze v. ablation posted by Pati Murdock on December 12, 2002 at 20:02:37:
Pati, you sound like you have done your home work already. You get a big A+ for doing that.
Pati the following is my response to another lady I E-mailed today, and it pretty much applies to your questions also.These are my opinions and you may, or probably will get some more replies that may vary from the information I give. It all comes down to being your choice as best you see it, from the knowledge you have.
The maze has been around since 1987, but was slow gaining popularity. The slow gain of use was not from the results, as it was thought that atrial fibrillation was not a serious enough ailment to warrant open heart surgery. (Best thing that I ever did), To most people with serious AF, who wants to maintain a normal life it is well worth it. There is enough statistical numbers around to prove that the maze cure (cured of AF, and off all meds.) has about a 95% cure rate.
The Cleveland Clinic, OSU Medical Center at Columbus, and maybe some other facilities do a modified mini maze where they don't cut the sternum. These procedures give you a easier recovery, but sometime slower in providing a cure from AF. These procedures probably carry as much or more risk than the open heart maze.
Ablations is still evolving from day to day, and the procedures they are doing now in the more progressive facilities such as Cleveland Clinic just haven't had time to established a track record. Technology, (in computer speeds), has given a greater chance to map and tell exactly how the errant impulses are traveling and effecting your heart. This gives the EP's a better chance to cure AF.
The only ablation procedure that I would consider is the Pulmonary Vein Ablation and only with the types of energy that doesn't cause PV stenosis.
The PVA as done at the Cleveland Clinic seems to have a very good record on cures, but this is no easy procedure and may require 2 or more procedures.
Hope this helps some and the other replies will also give you more information on the subject.Please keep us informed what and how you do.
Best wishes and prayers. Jack