Posted by Bill Kilgore on December 17, 2002 at 09:30:49:
In Reply to: Thanks!... and more questions posted by Sarah on December 16, 2002 at 12:21:50:
Sarah,
Perhaps I can help answer a part of your question, "How often might one need a touch-up RF after a first go at an RF ablation?". Dr. Jie Cheng in Houston says there is a 20-25% chance of having to repeat the PVI, most often due to stopping the procudure when the patient has been exposed to enough radiation and more radiation could burn the skin. The radiation is used to see the ablation tip inside the heart. All the technicians and doctors in the room wear lead gowns. I too am very interested in answers to your questions and hope that some of the CCF veterans will speak up. My guess is the Dr. Andrea Natale works faster with his 8mm ablation tip and might have a lower ratio of repeat procedures. I would like to know. Good luck to you in your search for answers.