Six Years Post Minimally-Invasive Port Access Maze-III Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation

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Posted by L. Paul Teague on June 25, 2004 at 09:58:27:

On June 26, 1998, James Cox, M.D., performed the minimally-invasive port access Maze-III surgical procedure for atrial fibrillation on me. Dr. Cox -- who is the father of Maze surgery for AF -- had done over 300 Maze surgical procedures, but this was only his fifteenth minimally invasive operation.

The operation was done at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. I was 64 years old at the time.

I went into surgery with chronic lone atrial fibrillation. I came out of surgery in NSR. And I have remained in NSR ever since [except for a single two-hour AF episode on the sixth day after surgery that self converted to NSR].

I was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day after the surgery. On the seventh day post surgery, I toured one of the art museums in Washington, DC. On the ninth day post surgery, I returned home to Colorado.

At six weeks post surgery, I considered myself fully recovered and resumed all normal activities. I attribute my speedy recovery to three things: I was in excellent physical conditon prior to the surgery, I had minimally-invasive surgery which did not require that the breast bone be split, and I started strength training using the SuperSlow protocol two weeks post surgery.

My first AF episode occurred at the conclusion of a maximal tread mill test in 1993. By 1998 my AF had progressed from paroxysmal to chronic. None of the four electrophysiologists who treated me ever suggested that I consider the Maze Procedure.

I self referred myself to Dr. Cox. The last EP doctor I saw before seeing Dr. Cox told me there was nothing more that could be done for my AF. He said I would have to be on coumadin for the rest of my life -- and he was going to increase my amioadarone dosage.

My AF was likely caused by 25 years of running an average of 20 to 50 miles a week and my diet. I was on a supposedly heart healthy low-fat, high-carb diet for over 20 years. Long term steady state exercise caused a repeated stretching of the outer surfaces of the atria. This stretching ultimately damaged the surfaces of the atria which transport the electrical impulses that pace the heart.

On June 14, 2004, I was 70 years old. I am not on any medications. I have never felt better. I have never been more active physically and mentally. I continue to be a serious skier. I do one one-hour SuperSlow time-under-load, metronome-timed strength training protocol session a week. I no longer run because I have learned that proper strength training and deep breathing exercises provide adequate cardiovascular conditioning.

For five years I have been on a low-carb, good-fat, adequate protein diet. I am six feet tall, weigh 175 pounds, and have a resting heart rate of 60 bpm. My toal cholesterol to HDL rato is 2.0 or less.

I have retired from my primary career occupation as an oil company executive. I serve on the board of a NYSE listed oil company, manage investments, and am an avid Texas Hold'em poker player who can often be found at the Bellagio poker room in Las Vegas. Currently my primary business interest is the coming Hubbert's Peak in world oil productive capability. [I am a Petroleum Engineer by education.]

As my contriubiton to this bulletin board [which did not exist when I had my Maze surgery] and as thanks to Jack Drum et al who started and maintain it, I am going to post what I have learned about lone AF under the subject: "Ten Things Your Electrophysiologist Will Not Tell You About Lone Atrial Fibrillation".

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