Posted by Carl Plaskett on January 12, 2004 at 07:09:26:
In Reply to: Re: PVI Ablation that went BAD posted by Pete on January 11, 2004 at 22:36:05:
Pete: Yours is the horror story we hate to see here, but serves as an example of why we "vets" suggest asking LOTS of questions of the doctor(s) one might be considering.
It is important to know how many of the SAME procedures have been performed by the doctor and the success percentage. It is not enough to be told that a doctor has done "X" number of "ablations"; one needs to know if those were flutter ablations (not too tough) or PVAs, (very difficult).
The size of catheter being used and the type of tip (energy source) appear to affect the success rate for single session PVAs, as does the facility's option to change to a different energy source mid-procedure if the EP feels it is patient-appropriate. The fact that the EPs at the CC have the option of making that choice seems to be the exception rather than the rule.If you read many, many of the approximately 6000 posts here, you will find that the percentage of "problem" cases seems to be higher among those who were treated by one of the less experienced physicians/facilities, who/which MAY ultimately BECOME a good choice...in the future, after numerous successes have been documented.
At my 3rd annual post-maze checkup by my EP last week, I asked him if he was still sending afibbers to the CC for the Maze, and he responded: "No, we (the hospital across the street, in Tampa) are one of the leading centers in the country, and I am even doing a few by catheter myself."
Believe me, I would not opt for going there until I KNEW the success rates, since less than a year ago, some of his patients were contacting me for info, having been referred to me by him. I have heard no reports of PVA/Maze successes locally, but hope that some local patients might begin to post here with their stories-good or bad!