Posted by hans koster on August 22, 2001 at 04:31:42:
In Reply to: Ablation posted by Mike Maples on August 21, 2001 at 17:01:45:
Before my maze operation I had four times an ablation.
I had paroxysmal A-fibs and on the ecg it seemed to come from one focus,so they tried a focal ablation two times,but they could not find the focus.On medication I had atrial flutters,so they did a flutter ablation,again two times.The second one was succesfull,but instead of the flutters the A-fibs appeared again.So I finally decided to have the maze operation.I had the operation 11 weeks ago now.
Although the 60% succesrate seems a little high to me(depends too of what they try to ablate,the focus too?),I must say that compared to the maze an ablation is peanuts.It takes a few days to recover.And I am still not recovered from the maze.But also with me:the maze was succesfull (untill now anyway).
Conclusion:I have no regrets to have tried the ablations first,because it was a chance to get rid of the A-fibs with one day in hospital and almost immediate recovery.And after 11 weeks I am not at the least finished recovering from the maze.
Best Wishes,Hans Koster