5 box Thorascoscope maze done on me 9/17

[Pete0629]

Hi all, just letting you all know I had this procedure done last Friday at Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital. Dr Sirak is one of the innovators of this minimal invasive procedure. To save time and learn more you can go Ohioafib.com.

The advantage of this procedure over a typical ablation is it is much more affective on my condition, persistant, afib. It is more thorough and has better longterm results.It is definatley not a walk in the park. It is more invasive than the popular cardiac ablation, but as I said more affective on my type of afib, from the research I have done.

I am going to answer as many questions as I can in order to help people that are considering the procedure.

From what I have understood the procedure is " in network" in my United Healthcare insurance network. But I haven't seen any bills yet so only time will tell.
The worst part of the surgery is , to me, the feeling, weakness, and psycotic feeling from the  anethstetic and pain killers, I hate em! I actually hallucinated on them and they lingered for days. I did talk to others that have had surgery and they didn't have the same reaction , so it may be just me. I had essentially 2 nurses taking care of me in my room, one for general house keeping and care and the other a cardiac nurse. Both were professional and caring to the max. I also, being a single guy, developed a crush on my nurse in the OR, but I'll save that story for my buddys.
I have 10 incisions on my body, under my arms across my chest and 2 drain holes below my ribs. Small ones 1/2 inch long. Another concern I had was the whole BM issue, but I can report this morning I'm happy in that area.
I am on several meds for the shorterm. Mainly, as Dr Sirak told me, my heart has burns on it for the moment and need to heal, there will probably be inconsistant reactions to the inflammation over the next few weeks, but eventually I'll be taken off most or all the meds.

I'm not out playing tennis again, yet, but that is in my sites.

Any more questions? I'll be home the rest of the week and happy to let you know my experience.

Pete

[Jerry_NJ]

I believe the "P wave" is the electrical signal of the atrium contracting (beating).  When in AFib, and maybe also for Flutter, the P wave is greatly reduced or not there, instead there may be some low energy signals.. the fibrillation or flutter signals.  The P wave missing or squashed is the hallmark of AFib (and may be flutter - I don't know the technical difference, but do know AFib is "worse" and much more prone (risk) to create clots.).  Looking back I must admit too I don't know if there are two P waves (left and right) or if there is one (both left and right atrium together), followed by the Ventricle "wave"... what is that the "Q wave"?  Don't know the name, but it is the big one.

[Pete0629]

Thanks Jerry, I think it's so cool we can get answers from all over the country about P-waves.

Thanks again.
Pete

[Angel_001]

Hi Pete!

How are you doing today???
Still on schedule for cardioversion?  That's disheartening.  Apparently, "sick sinus syndrom" is a side affect of ablations/surgery.  Meaning your P wave is sluggish.  I've read that atrial flutter can be underlying to the a fib.  Given your expensive left atrial maze that contained your left atrial fib/flutter - if you do have flutter it could be right artial flutter around the tricuspid annulus.  This is a quick fix from what the EP's tell me.  Either way - I'm bummed you are feeling this way :(
Illini gave the Bucks a wake up call on Sat.  No underestimating the Big Ten!
Stay the course
Angel  

[LindaTX]

I guess sick sinus syndrome is something I'll have to research also.  I went back into a-fib last night...one day in....one day out.  It's getting very frustrating because the episodes are very strong and uncomfortable.  If I had to place bets today with the way I feel, I'd have to bet that this has not worked AT ALL!  Still haven't talked to my Dr.s office about my EKG but I won't give uo today.  I'll try to report back tonight.

Pete, I hope you get your cardioversion today.  I'm probably headed that way myself.  I just want to get on with my life....and I know you do too.  I hope your incisions have healed by now. Keep us posted on your progress.  "What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger"... Is that the way it goes?  Luck to you, Pete.

[Pete0629]

Well I had my cardioversion last night, yes last night. My cardiologist office called me about 3:00pm yesterday and said they wanted me at the hospital at 4:15pm, long story short they finally did it about 7:00pm, I had to stay there until about 8:30pm. Thank God I have good friends, my buddy Steve, who gets up at about 3:30 am everyday, took me to the hospital and back home, he looked worse than I did when it was all over. My poor kids are spread from top to bottom in Illinois, My son is working in Rockford ( extreme north) my daughter is at SIU ( extreme south) I'm right in the middle. So neither was in a good place to help.

I'm back in rhythm, 74BPM. Blood pressure is good also. Now the question is will it hold. I was going to go back to work today but they told me I couldn't drive for 24 hrs because of the anesthetic. The funny thing is my local cardiologist did the conversion and left, didn't saybut maybe 5 words to me. Dr Sirak, text me the whole time I was there, before the procedure, and after the procedure and wants me to e-mail him this morning on how I feel, very in touch. Can't say that about my local guy.

Illinois hung in there for a while Saurday but ultimatley the better team won, just wait til next year!

Thanks for the concern Angel, not quite sure what you meant by the " quick fix" comment.

Pete

[Pete0629]

Hey Linda, hang in there you will achieve rhythm. I know the road is rough but try and keep a good attitude, pot calling the kettle black, ha.

As far as my incisions they are progressing although I do have one that is still oozing occassionally---I know GROSS! The rest are coming along nicely. I actually have slept on my side a couple of times. Mainly I have slept on my back through all of this.
Today my chest hurts more than it did yesterday because of the shock. But I'm hoping it is only temporary and things will be much better by the end of the week. I'm going to try walking this morning to see if the pressure in my chest is less now then before the conversion, doc says it should be.

You all have a great day and like I said hang tough Linda, don't let this damn condition get ya down!!

Pete