Posted by Mike Wilson on August 07, 2001 at 14:06:29:
Hello all,
Just trying to come up with some answers to help me figure out what direction to take. I've been
dealing with AF for 6 yrs. now, had St. Judes mech. aortic and mitral valves implanted in 98. My AF
has progressed over the years, and has been chronic for close to 6 months now. I've tryed many meds.
including quinadine,atenolol,cardizem,verapamil,sotalol,and dofetilide.Both cardiologist and ep
wanted to start amiodarone after dofetilide failed and I respectfully turned down the offer, as I did'nt want
to deal with the side effects. I was pleased to read Steve Giddings post below, because it explains AF
a bit further then most things I've read, and info I have not read before. I guess I'm trying to decide
if I should wait for technology to advance or get the Maze sometime soon. I'm 40 yrs. old, and pretty
active, the AF has really slowed things down though. I feel as if I have'nt relaxed since this AF became
chronic, extremely moody, and hard to live with. I work in construction and can keep up but get more
fatigued than when I was in sinus rhythm. Sleep is'nt what I would call good, as my mech. valves are
quite loud in AF (wife uses earplugs). Has anyone on this site had the Maze as a 2nd open heart
surgery? Has AF lowered my quality of life to justify going for a 2nd open heart surgery? If I do opt for
the Maze,it would be in Cleveland, as I grew up 50 miles south of there and have family in vicinity( I
live in Fl.). I have'nt been through the electrophysiology route yet ( ablations etc.), is this something
I should lean towards before I choose the Maze? Thanks for listening, any comments would be
appreciated, and thanks Steve for the informative post below. Mike in Florida
- Re: To Maze, or not to Maze mike skinner 17:59:35 8/07/2001 (0)