Posted by Carl Plaskett on January 02, 2003 at 22:44:05:
In Reply to: PVI posted by Jim Matthews on January 02, 2003 at 21:24:36:
Jim: Did you use the "search" function on this page as I suggested in my 12/22 response to your post? There are several references to PVI or PVA (Pulmonary Vein Isolation or Pulmonary Vein Ablation). Mike Ware recently had the procedure at the CC and reported in detail as to what happened and his success. There are more who have just gone for PVI/PVA cures at the CC but have not yet posted as being afib-free.
This is a non-invasive procedure as far as being non surgical. Catheters are threaded to the heart usually from the groin and neck and an area around the entrance to pulmonary veins is ablated with a "tip" which creates scar tissue at whatever spot(s) are "misfiring" electrical pathways. The scar tissue, when healed and if all the "misfiring" spots are found, blocks further electrical "signals" from firing in those areas. The 75%-80% "cure" rate refers to the percentage of patients who are cured with one ablation session. The remaining patients need another "touch-up" session to isolate and ablate spots which might have been missed or not scarred enough during the first session. The cure rate for these people seems to be around 95%. I believe that many or most of those people who might need a touch-up for a complete cure, find that their afib is reduced significantly and some may opt to get by on much smaller doses or less powerful drugs. They are getting so good with the PVI/PVA procedure at the CC, that the maze has become the second option choice since the associated risks AT THE CC have been reduced to very acceptable levels.
The Maze is still an option should ablations be difficult because of the size of one's blood vessels or other issues which might affect the anticipated PVI/PVA success. The maze can still be done after multiple ablations attempts, as several of us have reported, having experienced earlier attempts at ablations performed at centers OTHER THAN the CC, and perhaps even ones at the CC more than perhaps 12-18 months ago. The maze is still done relatively routinely at the CC along with any other open heart procedure if the patient has a history of afib. The afib cure progress there is waaaay ahead of other centers. Visit their website to learn more. Then write or call them for more info. Mike Ware and others have posted the names of the nurses/contact people who have helped them. Until lots of people are posting PVI/PVA success stories at centers other than the CC, that would be my first choice. As Dr. Natale does travel to CA once a month or so, that would be my second choice. As more physicians become trained with these devices, and do a fair number of them, their success will increase and more locations will be available.
Being totally rid of the meds has been such a blessing for me, I only regret not having the maze sooner. Now with the PVI/PVA success at the CC, waiting while feeling lousy just wouldn't enter my mind.