Posted by Carl Plaskett on January 05, 2003 at 09:54:25:
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Cox & the Texas Heart Institute posted by Beverly Crane on January 05, 2003 at 07:16:28:
Beverly: First, you have utilized this site exactly as intended by it's "founder", Jack Drum. Many, many of us have subsequently been "cured" by maze or more recently, the newest ablation techniques after gathering information here.
In Houston, Dr. Duncan, at the Texas Heart Institute has done a number of maze procedures, but I don't know whether or not it is ONE of the "mini" versions. Some surgeons have done the "mini" by entering the right rib cage, and deflating the right lung to better access the heart. This would not seem to be the best approach if one has lung problems already. Others are doing a modified splitting of the sternum or working from below the rib cage.
I believe many, or even most of the surgeons who have been doing the maze for several years, learned their techniques by working at the shoulder of Dr. Cox. Some have modified the procedure because of improvements in equipment, etc.
The very high success rate by Drs. Natale, Schwiekert, Tchou, and perhaps others at the Cleveland Clinic, with the newest ablation catheters has been very encouraging. If I were considering an ablation at another center, I would find out EXACTLY what instruments/techniques are being used, the success rate of both those who have had only one procedure, and that of those who have required a "touch-up" procedure. Compare that info with that of the above doctors at the CC. Not everyone doing ablations is doing the same procedure, nor are they all using the same instruments. Given an option, I would submit the required info to the CC for evaluation as to whether or not the maze might be unnecessary as your first choice.You didn't indicate what your lung complications are, and I am curious if they are the result of using amiodarone?
As to the Medtronic device, perhaps one of the recent ablation posters here will shed some light on which device manufacturer's equipment was involved in their procedures.
For future "new" questions, you might post by using the "post a message" button at the top left side of the page, so your question appears at the top and might get more response from those who don't "scroll down" the page or use the "view today's messages" button on a daily basis.
Good luck, and keep us updated. Your comments/questions are always welcome.