Posted by Carl Plaskett on December 07, 2003 at 01:49:05:
In Reply to: Re: U of M, EP posted by Henry Alken on December 06, 2003 at 11:30:52:
The idea that the "Half-Century of Cardiovascular Highlights" contained no mention that Dr. Cox spent his entire career working on and developing cures for arrhythmias (including Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which he began curing surgically in the '70s),or Dr. Haisaguerre's pioneering work with ablations, is surprising, given the number of people who have benefited from their work relative to some of the other "milestones" cited.
Rachel, I hope your husband is able to extract himself from the very few percent of those who have not been cured by the Cox Maze III (albeit "modified) or an ablation touch-up, by WHATEVER means and by whomever might be successful. Perhaps his afib is initiated in the left atrium and Dr. Natale had some reason for not attempting to go there, or the mapping didn't show it.
As far as the risks go, the statistics of the CC seem to support the Cox Maze, in that they apparently have had no deaths linked to patients who previously had LAF, and I BELIEVE one death in a patient with multiple simultaneous procedures. Perhaps after a few more years of history upon which these statistics are based, ablations will be shown to have a lower incidence of complications.
The risks of stenosis or stroke with the PVA have been much higher, although they are improving at a few centers, including apparently, the University of Michigan.
Were I faced with the options for curing LAF that are available now vs. my choices of just 3 years ago, I would probably first opt for trying an ablation at one of those very few centers which are using the latest techniques and most skilled doctors.
Please keep us informed of his progress, as we former afibbers would like everyone to be part of our happy group.
- Re: U of M, EP rachel 13:52:14 12/07/2003 (2)
- Re: U of M, EP Carl Plaskett 14:36:52 12/07/2003 (1)
- Re: U of M, EP rachel 17:40:58 12/07/2003 (0)