Posted by ser46@cox-internet.com on February 06, 2003 at 15:30:57:
In Reply to: On to the Cleveland Clinic posted by Jim Matthews on February 05, 2003 at 13:48:01:
Jim,....This is the way it was explained to me at CC/Dr.Schweikert: He feels I more than like do not have a bunch of "different" rhythms, but all are most like under the "umbrella" of Atrial tachychardia. He will do an EP study zero in, and eliminaate it with ablation. More than likely they will be in the pulmonary veins and they would see a lot of PAC's coming from one or more of the veins. They would ablate that region of the left atrium. Some times they see the focal point within the left atrium walls and that is easier to ablate, without PVstenosis.
Not everyone gets PVstenosis (statistics on CC's Heart Center web site.)which can be treated with stents. I have a tiny bit of coronary artery disease, and a slight mitral valve leak, which half the time through the years "they" say I don't have! Dr.S also does not recommend a surgical Maze for me at this point, and feels that even the very aggressive Maze surgeons at CC would push for a Maze either.
I was quoted that for "straight foreword" PVI success rate of 80%-85% with about 2% incidence of PV stenosis,and about 1%stroke.
Hope this helps.............Sarah