Posted by Carl Plaskett on October 05, 2003 at 21:10:20:
In Reply to: Re: Chronic/Maze posted by Anders Kingstedt on October 05, 2003 at 16:07:04:
Frank: As long as you don't have some contraindicated heartbeat irregularities, propafenone will probably be OK for you until your procedure. If you recognize new irregular beats, you should consult your physician, since heartbeat irregularities are one of the "side effects". (Check the internet for more details of side effects, etc.).
I would want to know the history of the physician doing the PVI (success in curing afib, %age of stenosis, stroke, etc.), or I might consider going for the Cox Maze III, which would probably have a higher success rate and lower overall risk.I believe that it is possible that those who have become chronic might have developed more "errant" electrical pathways, which MIGHT make a PVI at least longer to perform, given the number of areas needing ablation.
I was pretty much chronic from all the drugs for 8 years or so, by the time I had the Maze. I would be in afib for 24-30 hrs, then in NSR for 18-24 hrs, like clockwork. I have not had any afib for over 2-1/2 years (since leaving the Cleveland Clinic 5 days post surgery). I have had 2 episodes of atrial flutter, but not for over 14 months. I take no meds, and consider myself cured.