Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 The Cleveland Clinic for anything cardiac.....or for anything else! The best of the best is there. Here's the link for the Afib clinic: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/atrial_fibrillation/default.htm Diane " I've learned two great lessons - that there will always be heartache and struggle, and that people of strong will can make a difference. One is a sad lesson; the other is inspiring. I choose to be inspired. " - Senator " For of those to whom much is given, much is required. " JFK (the real JFK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. Thanks very much, Wolfson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Wolfson wrote: <<I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib>> , here are some to contemplate: The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio with Dr. Natale has a great reputation. He has done over 1,000 ablations. He does them in CA too. The University of Michigan with Dr. Fred Morady, who is considered by his peers to be very very good. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI with Dr. Haines - another EP well respected by his peers. OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City with Dr. Warren Jackman - a doctor who gets referrals for especially difficult to treat patients and also well respected. These are four people and centers with " reputations " . I have not had an ablation myself, so all I'm commenting on here is that these names keep appearing over and over in the literature, which I have kept up with since I'm interested in the procedure for myself. - OU alum in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Wolfson wrote: <<I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib>> , here are some to contemplate: The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio with Dr. Natale has a great reputation. He has done over 1,000 ablations. He does them in CA too. The University of Michigan with Dr. Fred Morady, who is considered by his peers to be very very good. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI with Dr. Haines - another EP well respected by his peers. OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City with Dr. Warren Jackman - a doctor who gets referrals for especially difficult to treat patients and also well respected. These are four people and centers with " reputations " . I have not had an ablation myself, so all I'm commenting on here is that these names keep appearing over and over in the literature, which I have kept up with since I'm interested in the procedure for myself. - OU alum in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Funny ... my cardio didn't really give me a choice on the coumadin. I think you would be well-advised to think of it the same way. It really isn't worth taking the chance of a clot. I was on it for over a month. It wasn't bad at all. I bought an electric razor (which they told me I reallydidn't have to do). There were absolutely no other ill effects (other than not being able to take Ibuprofen for a back problem). Larry > Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the > U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old > man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several > years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on > Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the > best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. Thanks very much, > Wolfson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 A -- you should excuse the pun -- hearty second to that. Had my second ablation four months ago, and in constant SR now. I should mention that it's not only the docs but the nursing staff as well. I have never been treated as well. And yes, a dozen loud cheers for Dr. Natale. Lew At 10:18 PM 5/6/2004 -0400, you wrote: >The Cleveland Clinic for anything cardiac.....or for anything else! The best >of the best is there. Here's the link for the Afib clinic: > > >http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/atrial_fibrillation/default.htm > >Diane > > " I've learned two great lessons - that there will always be heartache and >struggle, and that people of strong will can make a difference. One is a sad >lesson; the other is inspiring. I choose to be inspired. " - Senator > > > " For of those to whom much is given, much is required. " JFK (the real JFK) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 A -- you should excuse the pun -- hearty second to that. Had my second ablation four months ago, and in constant SR now. I should mention that it's not only the docs but the nursing staff as well. I have never been treated as well. And yes, a dozen loud cheers for Dr. Natale. Lew At 10:18 PM 5/6/2004 -0400, you wrote: >The Cleveland Clinic for anything cardiac.....or for anything else! The best >of the best is there. Here's the link for the Afib clinic: > > >http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/atrial_fibrillation/default.htm > >Diane > > " I've learned two great lessons - that there will always be heartache and >struggle, and that people of strong will can make a difference. One is a sad >lesson; the other is inspiring. I choose to be inspired. " - Senator > > > " For of those to whom much is given, much is required. " JFK (the real JFK) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 A -- you should excuse the pun -- hearty second to that. Had my second ablation four months ago, and in constant SR now. I should mention that it's not only the docs but the nursing staff as well. I have never been treated as well. And yes, a dozen loud cheers for Dr. Natale. Lew At 10:18 PM 5/6/2004 -0400, you wrote: >The Cleveland Clinic for anything cardiac.....or for anything else! The best >of the best is there. Here's the link for the Afib clinic: > > >http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/atrial_fibrillation/default.htm > >Diane > > " I've learned two great lessons - that there will always be heartache and >struggle, and that people of strong will can make a difference. One is a sad >lesson; the other is inspiring. I choose to be inspired. " - Senator > > > " For of those to whom much is given, much is required. " JFK (the real JFK) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 Out of curiousity, I grubbed the cleveland web site for Dr. Natale, amd found http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/staff/SearchDetail.Asp?staffid= 3236 & name=natale & keyword1= & keyword2= & specialty= & cnt=1 He seems quite young, so hopefully he'll be around for us for a long time :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 Out of curiousity, I grubbed the cleveland web site for Dr. Natale, amd found http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/staff/SearchDetail.Asp?staffid= 3236 & name=natale & keyword1= & keyword2= & specialty= & cnt=1 He seems quite young, so hopefully he'll be around for us for a long time :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 Out of curiousity, I grubbed the cleveland web site for Dr. Natale, amd found http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/staff/SearchDetail.Asp?staffid= 3236 & name=natale & keyword1= & keyword2= & specialty= & cnt=1 He seems quite young, so hopefully he'll be around for us for a long time :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 >Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. , as others have noted, Dr. Natale seems the best in the U.S. However, if you really only have afib once every few years, and it does not bother you in between times with a lot of ectopics, etc. I am wondering about the need for either Coumadin or an ablation. My new cardiologist told me, much to my surprise, that for people with lone afib, that is, no other risk factors, who are under 65, Coumadin is not necessary. My previous cardiologist had told me that if I started having a prolonged episode she would put me on Coumadin, but that she absoutely did not want me on it with the isolated few hours long episodes I was having at the time. Recollect that Coumadin is not without risks, as you probably know, it can cause hemorrhages, including hemorraghic stroke. I don't recollect what the list of risk factors was, however - probably concurrent heart disease of some sort, diabetes, smoking, etc., that kind of stuff. Also, ablations have a 1 or 2% stroke risk, and other real problems can occur. So I would take a good look at the overall risk/benefit situation of any treatment plan, esp. when advances are being made so rapidly that waiting a couple of years might result in a much safer and more beneficial procedure or med being available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 >Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. , as others have noted, Dr. Natale seems the best in the U.S. However, if you really only have afib once every few years, and it does not bother you in between times with a lot of ectopics, etc. I am wondering about the need for either Coumadin or an ablation. My new cardiologist told me, much to my surprise, that for people with lone afib, that is, no other risk factors, who are under 65, Coumadin is not necessary. My previous cardiologist had told me that if I started having a prolonged episode she would put me on Coumadin, but that she absoutely did not want me on it with the isolated few hours long episodes I was having at the time. Recollect that Coumadin is not without risks, as you probably know, it can cause hemorrhages, including hemorraghic stroke. I don't recollect what the list of risk factors was, however - probably concurrent heart disease of some sort, diabetes, smoking, etc., that kind of stuff. Also, ablations have a 1 or 2% stroke risk, and other real problems can occur. So I would take a good look at the overall risk/benefit situation of any treatment plan, esp. when advances are being made so rapidly that waiting a couple of years might result in a much safer and more beneficial procedure or med being available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 >Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. , as others have noted, Dr. Natale seems the best in the U.S. However, if you really only have afib once every few years, and it does not bother you in between times with a lot of ectopics, etc. I am wondering about the need for either Coumadin or an ablation. My new cardiologist told me, much to my surprise, that for people with lone afib, that is, no other risk factors, who are under 65, Coumadin is not necessary. My previous cardiologist had told me that if I started having a prolonged episode she would put me on Coumadin, but that she absoutely did not want me on it with the isolated few hours long episodes I was having at the time. Recollect that Coumadin is not without risks, as you probably know, it can cause hemorrhages, including hemorraghic stroke. I don't recollect what the list of risk factors was, however - probably concurrent heart disease of some sort, diabetes, smoking, etc., that kind of stuff. Also, ablations have a 1 or 2% stroke risk, and other real problems can occur. So I would take a good look at the overall risk/benefit situation of any treatment plan, esp. when advances are being made so rapidly that waiting a couple of years might result in a much safer and more beneficial procedure or med being available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 > Funny ... my cardio didn't really give me a choice on the coumadin. I > think you would be well-advised to think of it the same way. It > really isn't worth taking the chance of a clot. > > I was on it for over a month.... > [sNIP] > Larry Hi Larry, I think was saying he'd prefer not to go onto coumadin full time rather than over the period of his ablation. , I think it's common practise to be on warfarin for some time before and some time after an ablation. Also,if you've not already spotted it, there's a good list of facilities at http://www.a-fib.com/Facilities.htm but you'll have to do further research to get the statistics. -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 > Funny ... my cardio didn't really give me a choice on the coumadin. I > think you would be well-advised to think of it the same way. It > really isn't worth taking the chance of a clot. > > I was on it for over a month.... > [sNIP] > Larry Hi Larry, I think was saying he'd prefer not to go onto coumadin full time rather than over the period of his ablation. , I think it's common practise to be on warfarin for some time before and some time after an ablation. Also,if you've not already spotted it, there's a good list of facilities at http://www.a-fib.com/Facilities.htm but you'll have to do further research to get the statistics. -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 > Funny ... my cardio didn't really give me a choice on the coumadin. I > think you would be well-advised to think of it the same way. It > really isn't worth taking the chance of a clot. > > I was on it for over a month.... > [sNIP] > Larry Hi Larry, I think was saying he'd prefer not to go onto coumadin full time rather than over the period of his ablation. , I think it's common practise to be on warfarin for some time before and some time after an ablation. Also,if you've not already spotted it, there's a good list of facilities at http://www.a-fib.com/Facilities.htm but you'll have to do further research to get the statistics. -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 In a message dated 5/6/04 9:36:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rwolfson@... writes: > Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the , You have asked a good question. By far, the most experienced place is the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Natale. Dr. Natale is also very active in AF research as well. There are other EP's at the CC as well that are accomplished. There are other heart centers in the country that are also very accomplished. I had my successful PVA done in Boston at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. We also have Mass. General and Brigham & Women's Hospitals. Both ranked in the top five heart hospitals in the country. The Mayo Clinic in Minn., U. of Mich., U. of Alabama Birmingham, U of Oklahoma Medical Center, s Hopkins Hospital, The Texas Heart Institute and Dr.Cheng, and several more. Go to US News & World Reports web site and review top heart hospitals in the US. Also www.affacts.org will give you an up close and personal tour of what's involved in a PVA/PVI. With all this being said, you have to make it happen. You have to do your homework. Be prepared with lots of questions for the EP. In our library here on this board we have those questions listed I think. Ellen if you read this, where does he go? Learn everything you can about AF and PVA's. It will all benefit you. Just ask Lew! Hey Lew! If you have additional questions or comments, don't hesitate to post them. Many on this board have been through the PVA procedure. Have you had a complete heart work up done? That is; Cardiac MRI, TEE, Stress Test, Echocardiogram and blood tests. Are you located in a major metro area? Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 In a message dated 5/6/04 9:36:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rwolfson@... writes: > Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the , You have asked a good question. By far, the most experienced place is the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Natale. Dr. Natale is also very active in AF research as well. There are other EP's at the CC as well that are accomplished. There are other heart centers in the country that are also very accomplished. I had my successful PVA done in Boston at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. We also have Mass. General and Brigham & Women's Hospitals. Both ranked in the top five heart hospitals in the country. The Mayo Clinic in Minn., U. of Mich., U. of Alabama Birmingham, U of Oklahoma Medical Center, s Hopkins Hospital, The Texas Heart Institute and Dr.Cheng, and several more. Go to US News & World Reports web site and review top heart hospitals in the US. Also www.affacts.org will give you an up close and personal tour of what's involved in a PVA/PVI. With all this being said, you have to make it happen. You have to do your homework. Be prepared with lots of questions for the EP. In our library here on this board we have those questions listed I think. Ellen if you read this, where does he go? Learn everything you can about AF and PVA's. It will all benefit you. Just ask Lew! Hey Lew! If you have additional questions or comments, don't hesitate to post them. Many on this board have been through the PVA procedure. Have you had a complete heart work up done? That is; Cardiac MRI, TEE, Stress Test, Echocardiogram and blood tests. Are you located in a major metro area? Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 In a message dated 5/6/04 9:36:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rwolfson@... writes: > Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the , You have asked a good question. By far, the most experienced place is the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Natale. Dr. Natale is also very active in AF research as well. There are other EP's at the CC as well that are accomplished. There are other heart centers in the country that are also very accomplished. I had my successful PVA done in Boston at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. We also have Mass. General and Brigham & Women's Hospitals. Both ranked in the top five heart hospitals in the country. The Mayo Clinic in Minn., U. of Mich., U. of Alabama Birmingham, U of Oklahoma Medical Center, s Hopkins Hospital, The Texas Heart Institute and Dr.Cheng, and several more. Go to US News & World Reports web site and review top heart hospitals in the US. Also www.affacts.org will give you an up close and personal tour of what's involved in a PVA/PVI. With all this being said, you have to make it happen. You have to do your homework. Be prepared with lots of questions for the EP. In our library here on this board we have those questions listed I think. Ellen if you read this, where does he go? Learn everything you can about AF and PVA's. It will all benefit you. Just ask Lew! Hey Lew! If you have additional questions or comments, don't hesitate to post them. Many on this board have been through the PVA procedure. Have you had a complete heart work up done? That is; Cardiac MRI, TEE, Stress Test, Echocardiogram and blood tests. Are you located in a major metro area? Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 I went to Cleveland because my own Boston electrophysiologist was only doing one or two ablations a week where Dr. Natale is doing three a day. Patiant care at CC is first rate throughout. Cleveland has been ranked #1 heart hospital for the last 9-10 years. How do you know who else is good? Ablation therapy Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. Thanks very much, Wolfson Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 I went to Cleveland because my own Boston electrophysiologist was only doing one or two ablations a week where Dr. Natale is doing three a day. Patiant care at CC is first rate throughout. Cleveland has been ranked #1 heart hospital for the last 9-10 years. How do you know who else is good? Ablation therapy Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. Thanks very much, Wolfson Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 I went to Cleveland because my own Boston electrophysiologist was only doing one or two ablations a week where Dr. Natale is doing three a day. Patiant care at CC is first rate throughout. Cleveland has been ranked #1 heart hospital for the last 9-10 years. How do you know who else is good? Ablation therapy Can a group member recommend a few of the best clinics or doctors in the U.S. who perform abalation therapy to get rid of A Fib? I am a 59 year old man who has had A Fib for a few years. I did not have an episode for several years until this week. The cardiologist is recommending that I go on Coumadin which I would rather not do. I am interested in learning about the best clinics or hospitals in the U.S. which deal with A Fib. Thanks very much, Wolfson Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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