running out of time

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Posted by Carolyn Collins on January 27, 2004 at 00:04:23:

My husband is 48, he looks the picture of health. (has always been an athlete) He has had AFib for 10 years. At first very minor, episodes progressed with time and, at times, controlled by medication. To date over the last 5 years he has had 4 ablations which would help for a period of time, also taking beta/blockers and blood thinners during this time. Currently he has been in AFib for 6 months while taking Lopressor, Coreg3,Promatine, Coumadin, and Lanoxin. The Dr. cannot (will not) do a cardioversion due to blood clots that just will not dissipate due to the constant Afib. He has had 4 TEE's during this 6 month period and two, 7 day stays in the hospital to intravenously give him the blood thinners. We were told today after a TEE that the only solution is a AVnode ablation with pacemaker or Maze procedure, due to the blood clots that will not dissolve even with a INR of 3.5 to 6.2....Have any of you experienced this same situation with the blood clots being present while still undergoing either the Maze or AVnode ablation with pacemaker...the Dr is encouraging the pacemaker, but also says this is a last resort. But due to his bloood clots we do not know what to do. Our concern is that with the AVnode ablation it is a death warrant since if there is battery problems there is nothing to work the bottom chamber. If there is any information any of you can give us to help us please respond to this e-mail. The Dr. says his heart is at 25% capicity and we need to make a decision right away. Thank you for ANY insight you may have to offer.
Pat, Carolyn, and 10 year old son Justin

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