Posted by Ed Wehan on September 03, 2001 at 11:28:43:
In Reply to: My husband's A-fib posted by Jackie Robinson on September 03, 2001 at 10:10:08:
Jackie, I can certainly say for myself that I wished I had been able to have had my maze procedure about 10 years earlier than when I ended up having it. Having said that, making the decision to have a maze is a big one and sometimes requires a period of frustration with the limitations on your lifestyle that AFib puts on you. I guess you finally just say I can't take this anymore and go for it.
I am sure you have read on this site the many stories about doctors who think that the maze is overkill for what they think is a relatively benign condition. Your doctor sounds like this; yet, he doesn't have this affliction and he doesn't have to live with it. Your husband is young but he may be on coumidin for many, many years as well as the drugs that may or may not help him. These same drugs have very significant side effects.
The maze has a mortality risk of about .2%. Life with AFib also has a very definite mortality risk plus your quality of life is significantly limited. The decision for the maze once I learned about it was easy for me (after 14 years of living with it).
Why don't you make an appointment to see Jack's surgeon. Sit down and discuss with him where you're at and see what he suggests. Most of these guys are very thoughtful and don't just push you into surgery or at least that was the case with Dr. McCarthy at Cleveland. You might also want to see a very good EP to see if an ablation might help. Ablations seem to be more effective in the earier stages of AFib although the results for this procedure are still iffy.
Anyway, best of luck. I understand where you are at and wish you the best.
- Re: My husband's A-fib Stan Ritsema 01:35:40 8/11/2004 (0)