Posted by Sarah on December 08, 2003 at 00:33:14:
In Reply to: question for Sarah posted by Judy on December 07, 2003 at 11:07:18:
Judy, Oh I'm so happy that you and Pat have discovered each other. You guys should ask the "pointed" questions, and insist on some answers, from the surgeon you are talking to and share what you've gleaned.
STATISTICS COUNT! You know: How many done, Outcomes/complications, Cure %, and as Rachel has said "WHEN does the patient fall into that cure statistic....when they leave the hospital.....three months later? By all means ask about PVA stenosis %, because that is a REAL problem if you get it! The whole stent deal is the only repair choice for now and very unsatisfactory.
I think, especially for those who are doing this for the first time, the choice is usually whether you are too afraid to do the Maze, which has the best stats of cure and fewer complications, OR the less invasive Ablation, which is "easier", but lower % of cure, and usually more risks!
THEN, read about Mazers who have had fluid build up in their lungs, transient blood clots, vision changes, spent much more time in the hospital due to post op "glitches". THEN read about Ablationers who needed one/two touch-ups, (which always means additional EP studies, which are as invasive as the actual ablation) got PV stenosis, the rare stroke, or vein puncture.
You can (and should) look at the whole picture, then decide, like me, that you'll be one of the larger percents of the successful patients!! And go for it! You can ALWAYS find SOMEONE who had a screw up, so don't torture yourselves that!!
WHERE?? I'd go to where my research convinces me that "my" surgeon, or EP is the best one! And remember that ALL the hospitals are understaffed, crappy nursing, and you have to watch them all like a hawk!
For me, untill I'm convinced otherwise, CCF is still #1 for my heart. However, I'll have my next spine surgery at WASH U.in St.Louis.
Wonder if Dr.Cox has any recommendations in St.Louis?? Eeaa, Carl?
- Re: question for Sarah Judy 10:17:59 12/08/2003 (0)