Arythmia

[Pete0629]

I have had afib for the past 1-1/2 years. I have gone through Adriodone and multaq. My cardiologist said I need to talk to someone about cardiac ablation. I am in continuous afib and in good health other than afib. My stress test turned out good with no blockage and no heart enlargement at all.I get dizzy once in a while and feel weak sometimes. I am 56 years old. What are the chances that an ablation would be successful? I feel I can't play racquetball, run, cycle or play tennis anymore because the strenuousness of the activity isn't helping my heart since it is beating in odd ways now and not efficiently.
Thanks you.
Pete Nicholls

[Angel_001]

Hi Pete!

Good to hear you are in NSR and back home doing well!!!!

I hope your recovery time continues to go well!  I look forward to following your progress in your new post!!!  

Cheers
Angel :)

[Pete0629]

Hey Linda

Good luck, I can tell you the emotional toll it takes going through all of this is pretty high. It's not a walk in the park either.

Good luck.

I'm going to try to start a new post about the 5 box procedure and answer as many questions as I can. But I have trouble navigating this site so if I can't I'll continue here.
Pete

[LindaTX]

Yes, Pete, congratulations ...sounds like things went well during surgery.  I am so happy for you!  I hope you will do what Cindy suggested if you feel up to it and post what happened in the actual procedure.  I had at one point talked to a Dr at Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs about a mini maze procedure but it involved deflating first one lung, then the other and there were three small incisions (holes)  through the ribs a few inches down from the arm pits, maybe on each side.  Is that similar to the way your ablation was perfomed, through the ribs?  I am headed for my ablation this Wed.  I think I'm finally ready!  I'll let ya know how it turns out.

[annie1724]

Congratulations, Pete!!!!  I am so happy that the surgery went well and that you are back in normal sinus rhythm.  You must just be thrilled!  Wow, and to think that if it wasn't for this site and Angel's advice, you (and all of us) might never have heard of the five box procedure and Dr. Sirak.  He sounds like a great doctor....not just technically, but also a very empathetic person.  Again, so happy to hear that all went well!!

[cindy707]

PS maybe you could start a new comment post saying "Completed my ablation or 5 box a couple of days ago to start a new thread for easier reading......thanks

[cindy707]

That is great news Pete....we posted a question on the site over the weekend asking if anyone had heard from you.  If possible it would be great if you could run thru beginning to end how it was done or what you remember to help others like me that are so curious.   I am so happy that you are back into rhythm...i know exactly how that feels and for me i was a little shocked when i realized the SVT was gone and shortly after the a fib and then the arrythmias.  I hope that your procedure continues to be a big success....so some of my questions are:  how long did it take, were you put under, how many incisions inside and outside, did you spend the nite in the hospital, did the doc set off the episodes as with a regular ablation?  What were the insertion sites on the outside of the body, why are you on so many meds and what for, how long did the doc say before he knows if it is a success, did your insurance cover the procedure, are you allowed to resume all normal actiivities right away, what are you to avoid, what was the worst part of the procedure physically, how many docs, nurses were in the O.R. with you...so those are just a few questions so i can educate myself personally...and lastly what did the doc say the difference was between a conventional ablation thru the veins in the groin and the 5 box and the benefits of doing the 5 box?  Thanks Pete but you asked and i asked...congrats i am so happy for you......

[Pete0629]

Hi All!  Well it's official I had the 5 box thorascopic maze procedure last Friday!  I am still recovering but home. As Dr Sirack said the surgery was uneventful. although I still feel lingering anesthesia and pain meds. That stuff is strong and the worst part of the surgery. Probably won't drive for the next few days. Luckily I took this week off and I'll need it. I am trying to shake it still. My chest is tight but I am back in rhythum. I am on no restrictions and will be on Multaq, blood pressure med, potasium and a dieretic for the immidiate future. He doesn't anticipate me taking Multaq more than a month.

It was pretty cool in that he offered my son to go to the Ohio State football game with his family Saturday while I recovered. My son is a big sports fan and wanted to see the stadium more than anything else. Awlful nice of him though.

I will be monitoring this all week so feel free to ask questions.

Pete

[Angel_001]

Hi Cindy!
Thanks for the message!  Im a triathlete - have been since my athletic college days, long ago.... The older I get the more I keep seeing/hearing friends sidelined by AF.  I mean A LOT out there have it.  So when I was having health issues myself - I started researching AF.   As far as my background, I worked in the CVOR for 10 years - but mainly now I am a MOM (just had my 2nd 3 mo ago), part time "try"athlete, and part time CHTS (clinical heart team specialist).  Which is a fancy way of saying that I work in a local hospital for continuing education.  I have NOT had the procedure that Dr Sirak offers - but my very good friend has - she is also a triathlete and a HUGE fan of his.  I have also met several others that have had the/a surgical maze procedure.  They are very passionate about their quality of life and very convincing.  To hear their stories about numerous hospitalizations, pherenic nerve paralysis, drug side effects, GI bleeds, insurance.........(where should I start) bills, co-pays, perscriptions.....is heart wrenching and miserable.  All those years in open heart surgery and I had no idea how devistating AF was - strokes, cardiomyopathy, pacemakers.  It wasnt till just recent that I met someone at a family event who - long story short.....has AF (I had no idea) and after we shared backgrounds they were LIVID that their cardiologist didnt even give them the option for a minimally invasive surgical option.  Instead they had a nodal ablation and pacemaker put in.  As nurses we are taught "standard of care".  But when we are not even given the options available to us that is NOT "standard of care".  So now that I am a Mother, Caregiver to my aging parents/family, Supporter of friends with AF and a Health Care representative - I feel like I have the Responsibility/Priviledge to better understand the process.  This is where I found MedHelp, afibbers on yahoo, Wolfminimaze.com, ohioafib.com, and stopafib.com.  A fire is lite inside me now - just like my co-thiathletes.  So having said all that - I kept on finding that my research always brought me back to Dr. Sirak (clinical published data, especially - not only his but surgical sucess rates too).  His personal cell number is on his/OSU's website.  Recently I had a family member that had valvular disease and an anurysm.  We bounced all over the city for consultations.  It was such a headache.  Then I remembered Dr. Sirak's website and my friends praise.  I called the number and spoke to him directly about my concerns with my family member.  For FREE!!!!!!!!!  I have been working in the medical profession for a long time and I have NEVER seen that. My ONLY message to people (family, friends, bloggers) is to do your research, ask lots of questions and do not take no for an answer.  I still need to get better at the latter myself. ;) However, now I feel much better about my healthcare decisions with the ones I love.   Surgery is certianly not for everyone – but should be an option!
Cindy – the short time Ive been on MedHelp – I quickly noticed you had a nursing background and had wonderful advice for those in need of help.  Especially with your personal experience with AF – your perspective and professional knowledge is VERY educational, insightful and invaluable!!!!
Thank you for your interest and best of luck on your Journey J
Cheers
Angel

[cindy707]

Break a leg Pete...........

[Jerry_NJ]

I as a fellow permanent (low symptom) AFib wish Pete the best.  I have myself had a mini-maze done the "old fashioned" way - open heart surgery.  Of course there was another reason to open me up, I had a mitral valve repaired, and that's going fine. My surgeon gave the maze procedure about a 60% chance of working, but as noted,  I was already opened.  I was in NSR following surgery and for about a month, then back to AFib.  None of these procedures are 100%.  

I haven't looked up the "5 box" but I believe "robotic" surgery that minimized opening the body do offer much faster recovery.  I think the most important thing is the surgeon and the experience he/she has.  The fact your insurance accepts the procedure suggests it is not "experimental"... at least I know my insurance (no backup to medicare) will not cover anything they consider experimental.  

Wishing you the best results.

[cindy707]

Hi Angel....i posted you some questions under "My son has atrial fib at age 20" can you please post your answers......i am soooo curious

[t4me]

i was just reading your posts and wanted to wish you the best of luck with your procedure...i am experiencing a-fib for the first time in my life (i am 50)...always had pvc/pac and recently svt's and i am searching for some help and answers...i commend you in taking charge of your health...i live about an hour from baltimore and i am ridding myself of 2 cardio docs and going to one at johns hopkins (bad choice given the events of the day, huh), actually he is in baltimore county....anyway, i can't wait to hear of your success and i'm glad that your son is able to go with you...have a safe trip and a quick recovery!

[Angel_001]

Hi Pete!
I am thinking of you - and wishing you all my best!!!!
You will do Great :)
Glad to hear you have some nice neighbors looking in on you during your recovery.  We all should be so lucky.
Safe Travels and speedy recovery!
Cheers
Angel

[annie1724]

Good luck tomorrow, Pete, as you head to Columbus.  We'll all be thinking of you on Friday.  Keep us posted!

[Angel_001]

Hi shseri!
I saw your other post about cardioversion and your doc's 2nd opinion.  I agree cardioversion is a tough route to take.  But medication isnt always 100% effective - its more like 40% with a load of side effects - as is cath ablation for 1st time treatment.  If your AF burden is symptomatic and intolerable to live a 'normal' life I have to say that I support the surgical maze procedure.  Every treatment is at risk of success or failure.  But atleast YOU get to choose what option is best for you.  Not your doc and certianly NOT your insurance company.  Stay on top of your insurance company and work with the doctors office to establish coverage so that YOU can choose the approperiate care you NEED.  I too am a swimmer - I competed at the NCAA level - swimming in the BEST exercise you can get (my unbiased opinion ;)  )
The shortness of breath you are having to deal with is defineately compromising the sport you enjoy doing.  You recognize that there are more options out there and you are not liking the professional opinions/answers you are currently getting.  Good For You!  There are better answers.  Keep asking questions. You WILL find the best answer for you and your health.
Good luck on your journey!
Angel

[Pete0629]

I am glad to be your ginniepig. I know what you are going through and am hoping this is the answer we all have prayed for.

I'll keep you informed.

Pete

[Pete0629]

I have spoken to Dr Sirak several times through conversation and e-mail. He seems to be very open. My only concern is I really don't know him very well. I am banking mainly that Ohio State University wouldn't back someone that isn't reputable.
You have been so helpful and encouraging to me, and I thank you for that. I have a lot of support having several of my female friends offering to bring me food next week :). My son made the hotel reservations and have already checked out the local gyms and of course where he can eat!

So I will keep you informed of my progress.

Pete

[shseri]

Hi Pete I have been reading your journey. I wish you good luck and hope you let us know how you are doing. I am interested because of the same thing. My Doc has me on meds and says cardiac ablation and electrocardioversion wouldn't work for me.I also hate the out of breath feeling. I hate the thought of this for the rest of my life. I am 57.

[Angel_001]

Hi Pete!
Wow! Congratulations on your courage and journey!
I found a afibbers forum on Yahoo that had several people commenting on their experiences for the surgical maze option.  Specifically Dr. John Sirak's technique.  I think you are in good hands b/c there is a lot of patients pleased (so far) about their results.
Also, Congratulations for being Proactive about our healthcare options and asking lots of questions to better equipt you on your journey!!  You really should feel proud of yourself for all the hard work and research you've done on this.  All I can say, is that my friend would do it all again in a heartbeat (NSR of course ;) ).  She got her life back.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue on your path!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, keep us updated to your progress :)

Angel

[Pete0629]

Huh, yeah that is strange they wouldn't at least discuss a possible cureable option with you and your husband. I chose the 5 box Thorancoscope maze because I'm in persistant afib and the success rates seem to be higher with that procedure. Your condition seems to be perfect for the cardiac ablation, or at least from what I have read. It definatley is a very expensive procedure either way you go and risky. But for me personally I think it's worth the expense and risk, if my insurance will cover most of it  :). If I remember the UK is under a more socialized medicine, is it not? Maybe there lies the difference between ours system, at least as it stands today and your system, who knows really. Anyway, for me, and I am on warifin also, I want my life back, drugs put me in a state where I feel I am looking at life through plexiglass, I can see it, I just can't fully feel it anymore.

So anyway I hope you continue to educate yourself. The people on this site have been soooo helpful to me.

Pete

I hope you can figure this out

[Pete0629]

Annie

My son and I are going to head out on the 16t eeaarrllyy! I have to be there at 10:30 and it's a 6 hour drive. As I said I'm nervous about it, some because of going to a strange place and have them cut on me and some because I want to be done with this sooo badly. I can't let myself get to optimistic about the success----yet.

But I'll let you know how it goes and thanks for thinking of me.

Pete

[JoKelly]

I wonder why doctors in the UK never even suggest surgical ablation?  My husband has been in permanent AF for two years now and I have paroxsysmal AF but only anti coagulants (Warfarin) are prescribed for both of us.  I note how costly it is for you in US and wonder if this is why or whether it is a medical reluctance due to risk.  I read about the success rates whenever they are mentioned so that I can try to educate myself in the subject.

[annie1724]

Please keep posting and let us know how the five box procedure goes, Pete.  Good luck to you!  We'll be thinking of you on the 17th!

[Pete0629]

Hey Angel

Well I guess I have to completely follow through with this thing now. I am scheduled to have the 5 box procedure done on Sept 17th. The thing that's most shocking to me is it is an in network procedure with my insurance company. Dr Sirak looked at my stress test and echo results today. He said I'm a perfect canidate for the procedure. I'm a little nervous about it now. You spend so much time fighting  to get it done then once you get it approved reality sets in. Oh well I can always blame you if it goes bad----just kidding, my research, my decision.

Wish me luck all.

Pete