A brother who needs an EP

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Posted by Sarah on February 29, 2004 at 00:08:08:

I wasn't surprised by a call from my brother in Alabama, saying he's had some of those "wake you up in a cold sweat" Afib attacks.

He's progressed from the "tolerable" everyday, Afib episodes,(for years!) to the rough, knock you on your butt type. He's 65, and has not taken very good care of himself, although he says he has lone Afib. He's on Toprol, to keep it from going ~200bpm. (Sounds like Aflutter to me) He was doing this almost constantly at that rate when he went to ER. Since then, he's been given Toprol prn, and is having episodes closer together, and needing higher doses to stop it.

He said he's had this since he was in the Navy, at 17 yrs, and has always been able to stop the rapid HR with increased exercise.

I got onto the NASPE sight to see about an EP in Birmingham, since his cardiologist is recommending an ablation. NASPE didn't list ANY EP's in Birmingham, and knowing this shouldn't be, since UAB is listed as #25 best rated for heart in US NEWS report.

I surfed the web, and came up with a research type, EP/PHD fellow, and got his email off the bottom of one of his published reports on the web. I wrote asking about available EP's in Birm, Ala. connected with the University, and he wrote back the next day, with a list of arrhythmia specialist who are part of the University of Alabama!! I was pleased and impressed, to be able to fax my brother the info.

So you won't think I'm not thorough, I also sent brother information about the Maze, and an article comparing the Maze vs Ablation.

I'm sure we inherited this from our mother, and there seems to be about 3/5 siblings with atrial tachycardia in our family so far.

Sarah

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