Guest guest Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Hi everyone. I haven't posted since last spring when my husband was first diagnosed with atrial fib. Your insight and your reassurances were so helpful. Now a year later, we've been through multiple medication regimens and 6 cardioversions. Two of the cardioversions were done while he was on amiodarone. Because he went back into a- fib, our electrophysiologist is referring us to another electrophysiologist in the practice to determine if he's a candidate for ablation. I am in a complete state of panic. My husband is only 38, and we have 3 beautiful children. His fatigue and depression control our lives, and it's so sad. He's a wonderful, sweet man and deserves to enjoy his life and, most times, he doesn't have the energy. I know we can't go on like this, but I'm so afraid something will happen to him if we have the ablation. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention hospitals or doctors, so I apologize in advance if this isn't OK. We are currently at the Jefferson Heart Institute at Jefferson University Hospital, and we love it. Everyone from the valets who park your car to the attentive, kind physicians is fabulous. Do any of you know or know where I can find out about their success with ablation for a-fib? The doctor we are seeing on March 10 is Behzad Pavri. Do any of you know of him? I so appreciate any advice, help, insight, or support you could offer, and I am wishing you all good health. Thank you...Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Beth - perhaps the thing that will happen if your husband has the ablation is that it will work and he will have his life back again! After being exhausted in afib for the past 6 weeks, I can now really sympathize with those in permanant debilitating afib. You are right to do your home work, and ask questions about the hospital and doctors you are seeing, and if you find that the answers are not to your liking, you do have the right to say no to this one, and to go elsewhere! Overall it seems that many people are happy with the ablation surgery, and that it's a real life saver.. both physically and emotionally. All the best Stef henrys113 wrote: Hi everyone. I haven't posted since last spring when my husband was first diagnosed with atrial fib. Your insight and your reassurances were so helpful. Now a year later, we've been through multiple medication regimens and 6 cardioversions. Two of the cardioversions were done while he was on amiodarone. Because he went back into a- fib, our electrophysiologist is referring us to another electrophysiologist in the practice to determine if he's a candidate for ablation. I am in a complete state of panic. My husband is only 38, and we have 3 beautiful children. His fatigue and depression control our lives, and it's so sad. He's a wonderful, sweet man and deserves to enjoy his life and, most times, he doesn't have the energy. I know we can't go on like this, but I'm so afraid something will happen to him if we have the ablation. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention hospitals or doctors, so I apologize in advance if this isn't OK. We are currently at the Jefferson Heart Institute at Jefferson University Hospital, and we love it. Everyone from the valets who park your car to the attentive, kind physicians is fabulous. Do any of you know or know where I can find out about their success with ablation for a-fib? The doctor we are seeing on March 10 is Behzad Pavri. Do any of you know of him? I so appreciate any advice, help, insight, or support you could offer, and I am wishing you all good health. Thank you...Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Beth, Good day. I feel for your concern for your husband and family. It sounds like you need a plan. It's good that you raise these questions. As you know, we are not a medical board and don't claim to be. We are a group of AFibber's who have a multitude of experiences and will share them with you, as you and your husband will share yours. I looked up the Jefferson Heart Institute and Jefferson University Hospital. Neither is on the radar as a prominent heart center. (US News & World Reports 2003 Best Hospitals.) Now this doesn't necessarily disqualify them as being a good heart center. But you will want to ask some hard question of them. Such as: 1.) How many full PVA's (pulmonary vein ablation) do you do a year. Full means they do the right and left atria chambers and flutter if needed. 2.) Who does the actual procedure. What's their experience. 3.) What is their success rate. Have them I.D. what they mean by success. 4.) What is their rate of stenosis in PVA procedures. (A narrowing of the pulmonary vein(s) from catheter heat) 5.) What method do you use for the ablation. Radio frequency and or cryo. Radio frequency is the industry standard and cryo is cutting edge and said to be safer. But it's relatively new. There are many more questions you could ask, but these will get to the core of there experience. Some of the top heart hospitals in the country are in your area. Go to keyword US News and World Report Best Hospitals. Click on Heart and heart surgery and review the list. Discuss with you EP. The top hospital is the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. There top EP is a Dr. Natale. Many on this board are his patients. I had mine done in Boston. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for your husband. Many choose drug therapy instead of a PVA. It's a matter of personal choice and level of comfort with AF. Know this up front, PVA's are not always 100% successful. First time PVA's may have a success rate of 60% to 80% and goes up to 85% to 95% for a second PVA. Even if they are not 100% successful, they can eliminate AF from chronic to several times a year or once a month or so. Also go to www.affacts.org and click on Dr. Keanes article and then PVI procedure. It will take you through a complete PVA procedure. Also this Thurs. Feb. 26 at 4:30 PM Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston (ranked third in cardiology in the nation) will perform live a PVA procedure with a Q & A session as it takes place. www.or-live.com/brighamand womens/1170/ Good luck and keep in touch. We have over one thousand members in our group. From around the world. Tell your husband he's not alone. Our members are of many ages and economic backgrounds. But we all have one common ground. Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Beth As you probably know from this board, I just had a PVA less than a couple of weeks ago. Feel free to contact me directly @ tkiverson@... if you like. That goes for any other board members, too. Thor (so far,so good !) Re: ablation worries Beth - perhaps the thing that will happen if your husband has the ablation is that it will work and he will have his life back again! After being exhausted in afib for the past 6 weeks, I can now really sympathize with those in permanant debilitating afib. You are right to do your home work, and ask questions about the hospital and doctors you are seeing, and if you find that the answers are not to your liking, you do have the right to say no to this one, and to go elsewhere! Overall it seems that many people are happy with the ablation surgery, and that it's a real life saver.. both physically and emotionally. All the best Stef henrys113 wrote: Hi everyone. I haven't posted since last spring when my husband was first diagnosed with atrial fib. Your insight and your reassurances were so helpful. Now a year later, we've been through multiple medication regimens and 6 cardioversions. Two of the cardioversions were done while he was on amiodarone. Because he went back into a- fib, our electrophysiologist is referring us to another electrophysiologist in the practice to determine if he's a candidate for ablation. I am in a complete state of panic. My husband is only 38, and we have 3 beautiful children. His fatigue and depression control our lives, and it's so sad. He's a wonderful, sweet man and deserves to enjoy his life and, most times, he doesn't have the energy. I know we can't go on like this, but I'm so afraid something will happen to him if we have the ablation. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention hospitals or doctors, so I apologize in advance if this isn't OK. We are currently at the Jefferson Heart Institute at Jefferson University Hospital, and we love it. Everyone from the valets who park your car to the attentive, kind physicians is fabulous. Do any of you know or know where I can find out about their success with ablation for a-fib? The doctor we are seeing on March 10 is Behzad Pavri. Do any of you know of him? I so appreciate any advice, help, insight, or support you could offer, and I am wishing you all good health. Thank you...Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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