Re: catheter ablation

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Posted by Carl Plaskett on March 06, 2003 at 08:09:02:

In Reply to: Re: catheter ablation posted by Joss on March 06, 2003 at 04:31:40:

Joss: OUCH! I believe most of us are not as encumbered by tunnel vision as you imply. Prof. Haissaguerre's influence on Dr. Natale and the few other physicians doing PVAs is pretty well established and even credited on the Cleveland Clinic web site.
Logistics are more of a concern for those of us who don't have the luxury of picking where we travel to for medical procedures.
While a number of us might have loved going to Bordeaux AND be cured of afib, our insurance companies probably would have resisted. The cost of only about 6000 Pounds (about 10000 USD) should be VERY attractive to some, with or without insurance. The added cost of travel,lodging, for a couple should still make the cost less than 1/2 of the cost of going to the CC. Perhaps if American insurance carriers were aware of this, they would consider covering these costs.
In my case, I traveled to Paris 6-7 weeks before my Maze and the flight (prolonged altitude) kept me in afib for a long time during and after the flight. For those of us similarly affected by long flights, this trip might not be an acceptable option. I doubt a flight to Cleveland is more than 3 hours from any major airport in the US, which is more bearable for someone in afib.
Finally, (and unfortunately) most Americans may be apprehensive about going somewhere where English is not the predominant language. Can you shed some light as to whether or not there is a language "barrier" at Haut Leveque? If they have a website with English as a language option, that would help Americans lead their insurance carriers to another, less expensive solution, and perhaps they can even "test" the success of their ablation with some great wine.

As to our "beloved CC:". Those of us who have experienced the same %age of PVA afib "cure" from Dr. Natale and his associates or the Maze by Drs. McCarthy & Gillinov, probably still think we have gone to the best center AVAILABLE to us. (They have also done many hundreds of successful procedures at the CC).
Those who have had similar success with the FEW other doctors/heart centers doing either procedure feel their choices have been the best. For those who have not had the same level of success...hopefully the choice of going to a center with demonstrated high success at either "touch-up" ablations or the Maze, is still an option.
Continued good luck to you.



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