Update/RMV/RF ablation

[FloralD]

Hello everybody. I feel guilty that I have not been posting regularly but I had nothing new to tell you as I was just waiting
for surgery. Well, it happened on 21st Nov and Radio frequency ablation was done at the same time to try to cure the AF. The surgeon said he would do his best to repair the valve but I have learned since that for mitral valves badly damaged by rheumatic fever this is a non-starter. The biggest disappointment is that the ablation did not work and the AF is worse than it was previously in as much as it is much louder and very distressing. I know I can get used to the ticking of the valve but all this other banging and shaking is awful. I know this procedure I had is very new but is there anyone else out there who had this treatment? I'd be really grateful to hear how you went on. The surgeon pulled his face when I said how disappointed I was that it had not worked and said we will not know for 12 weeks but I never came across that bit of information in my research ??

Incidentally, I was treated at a renowned London hospital - the only one I could find where this ablation technique is used.

I have been reading a lot of the posts and, like many others, hope that I will never have to have heart surgery again.
I know lots of people have two or three ops - I met some in hospital - but I have to ask "how does the body stand it?".

Maybe some folks will have some upbeat comments for me. I just want to have a holiday in Spain in the Spring. Now that's not a lot to ask is it?

Happy New Year to all, Diana

 

[Ross]

I have to ask "how does the body stand it?".

I've asked myself that question time and time again. I've been through so many, that everytime they mention another, I wonder if it's going to be the ONE that ends me. The human body can put up with a lot. More then I ever thought possible.

 

[medtronic of borg]

How much?

How much?

AAAALLLLOOOTTTT !!!! I'm at 17.

 

[Nancy]

My husband Joe has a HUGE horrible history also, and more to come, I'm afraid. Ross and Medtronic are right the human body can heal from some massive and numerous assaults. I think one of the secrets is to NEVER give up, never give in and get your problems taken care of sooner rather than later.

If you're feeling weird in any way, you get right on the "horn" (telephone) and call your doctor or go to the ER.

I had a friend who had two ablations. One didn't work and she had a second which went pretty deep into her heart. So far that one is doing well. She had hers done at the Cleveland Clinic. They told her there that they went as far as they could go into the heart without special permission. I guess they have some new equipment which would get those pesky aresa, but it needed to be run by the higher ups. She didn't have to go that far.

I also know someone who had the Maze procedure, which is a series of laser incisions to the surface of the heart. That cured her afib. However, there is a waiting time before it kicks in, scar tissue has to form, I think. So it might be the same for ablation, but maybe others will know more than I do.

Check on posts from Jackdrum, who has had the Maze procedure, and swears by it.

Wait out the time your doc suggests, and if it isn't working out, ask about another procedure.

You just "keep on, keeping on" and don't lose hope.

 

[Mb]

Hello!

My husband also has chronic a-fib. It is very debilitating. He has been in chronic a-fib flor two years. He was misdiagnosed with pneumonia in the winter of 2001......the PA never listened to his heart. By April, he was in congestive heart failure. On June 1st, they attempted a cardioversion........which worked, for four days. He reverted back into a-fib, which meant a very fast trip to the ER. He said he didn't realize how much better he actually felt during those four days, till the a-fib hit him again. So you have alot of empathy here. His new valves were installed last October, and they had hoped that he would stay in sinus rythm, but again, about four days later he reverted back into a-fib. He is not a candidate for any of the other procedures out there, except for full ablation, with a permanent pacemaker. His cardio wants him to recover more before we start talking about that again.

Your doctors will tell you that alot of folks are in chronic a-fib, and tolerate it well. That may in fact be true for some, but it is not true for everyone. It IS difficult to live with. So, if there are procedures that hold out hope, and your lifestyle, etc. has been seriously compromised, I say go for it girl. Like Nancy said, DO NOT GIVE UP! It is very important for your quality of life.

Wishing you the best in this quest.......

Marybeth

 

[FloralD]

Thank you all. Compared to some its obvious that my treatments are pretty basic stuff - except maybe for the ablation. I will be having a surgery checkup locally - soon I hope, but with our health service this may take longer than the 6-8 weeks recommended. I could have gone back to London for it but it is a long way to go for a checkup. (I am in Manchester) The man I am hoping to see has a special interest in AF so maybe he will come up with something to make things quieter. As long as it is not amiodorone! They seem to give it to everyone with new valves in hospital but it gave me the mother and father of a headache and I had to stop taking it.
Nancy is right! Must be positive. Onwards and upwards, best foot forward..all of that. I will try very hard.
Diana