Surgery Went Well! question about Maze

[Lynne1]

As planned, Peter had mitral and aortic valves replaced, as well as the Maze procedure done which is supposed to reduce the risk of ever having atr fib again. All went as expected and he's starting the recovery process. However a consequence of the Maze is apparently that the heart needs a pacemaker temporarily. We had been told that this is not uncommon but now the surgeon said after the operation that there was a possibility he might need a pacemaker permanently if his heart didnt get into rhythm on its own. Has anyone heard of this or had the procedure done?

Relieved but know there is still a long road ahead!

 

[Ross]

Almost everyone has a pacemaker at least temporarily. That is certainly not uncommon. The maze procedure I'm not at all good on, so I'll let someone else answer that part.

Glad to hear things appear to be going well. I wouldn't get to worried about the PM. If he needs it, he needs it, but I think it's just temporary. Sometimes people take more time then others and the heart really gets beat up during these procedures.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Lynne-

Glad to hear that surgery is over with. As Ross mentioned, many people have to have a temp. pacemaker post-surgery.

We have a family friend who had the Maze procedure. Her surgeon told her that it takes about 6 months to see the final results of this procedure. Something about scar tissue formation formation which has to develop. She has been out of afib for quite a while.

We have a member here who had the Maze procedure. You could Private Message him, or go to his website. His member name is jackdrum. Just go to the top of this page and look for the members and look for him. here is his website.

http://www.mddietofutah.com/wwwboard/index.html

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi lynne!
i'm glad to hear that surgery and the maze went well.
although i don't know enough about the maze, i remember hearing what nancy mentioned about scar tissue needing to form in order for the procedure to be effective.
i wish you and peter all the best and hope he has an easy recovery from here on in.
please keep us posted on how he is doing.
be well, sylvia