Maze and AVR

[big_L]

I met with Dr. Bonilla at Provena - Aurora, IL on Monday. He's strongly suggesting that I have a maze and left atrial appendage removal at the same time, since I have PAF. That means full sternotomy - ugh. It also, frankly - at first, seemed like a bit much.

I have been doing some reading - or to be more correct - my dear wife (ex-Med Tech with a Master's as a Medical Librarian) has been reading while I'm at work.

Articles like this are really starting to sway me. I know that post-surgical AF is quite common. Apparently the left atrial appendage is the source of many of the clots/embolism that are the AF risk.

I don't want to have any more surgery than necessary, but I'd sure like to maximize my chances of long-term symptom free living.

Comments are appreciated, of course.

 

[Cooker]

I had ablation along with my avr ... best thing I ever did ... well second best thing:biggrin2:

 

[Phil]

I too had a MAZE and AVR and aortic root replacement and the ablation has proven to be fantastic. The surgery was 9 weeks ago and since this time I have had no aFib whatsoever. This is the longest I have gone without aFib for over 25 years and I'm loving it!

All the best.


Phil.