Posted by Tom Meyer on September 24, 2001 at 13:01:02:
In Reply to: Sucess rate/ Death rate posted by Bill Jocelyn on September 22, 2001 at 06:35:17:
Dear Bill,
I had my Maze performed at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. McCarthy in June 2000 and haven't slipped back into AF since that day. A miracle for sure thanx to the foresight of a medical pioneer, Dr. James Cox at the Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Cox developed this procedure in 1987 with remarkable results. To date the Cox-Maze procedure has evolved into the present Cox-Maze III with outstanding results. I met with Dr. Cox in January of 2000 to discuss having the surgery (due to his own medical problems, he referred me to Dr. McCarthy) and he enlightened me with some stats which might help you. The success rate for patients having just the Maze performed and no prior heart problems or strokes is above 97%. The other 3% required minor anti-arrhythmia drugs. And the mortality rate was 0%. The numbers do change with those people having other problems (valve repair or replacement, previous heart attacks or strokes or by-pass). But even this group found excellent results with a low mortality rate. To echo the other Mazers who have posted a response to your message.......Choose LIFE rather then AFIB. This surgery does not mask the problem but rather it CURES the problem.
Good luck in whatever path you choose. And keep us posted.
Tom Meyer