Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 , I was really surprised at how quicky it all happened. I was diagnosed with lone afib about 3 years ago. I started surveying the web and discovered the ablation therapy through sites like this. I asked my cardiologist if it was an option for me. He referred me to Dr. Leon then. I saw Dr. Leon who told me (3 years ago) that 1) I wasn't bad enough to warrant the risk and 2) ablation was " not ready for prime time " . I was referred back to him by my primary care internal medicine doc about 6 weeks ago because of symptoms of headaches and depression that he and I thought may well have been related to my increasing doses of beta blockers used to control my increasing sensitivity to afib, which was really dragging on my life. It was his (internal med doc) opinion that ablation had come a long way. (Interesting that my regular cardiologist, also within the Emory system, didn't advocate for the ablation--the standard seems to have been that one must go through the beta blockers to trials of antiarrhythmics before one is put on the ablation list) Well anyway, I saw Dr. Leon again who basically gave me the option of going on flecainide or having an ablation. He explained the progress of the past 3 years, with his doing 300+ ablations. He explained his approach as a hybrid of the Natale and Hassaiguerre (sp?) methods with PVI and linear ablations as well as the CARTO mapping to zap other foci. Also the notion that he simply avoids the back wall and really seemed to have no concern about esophageal fistulae. He said his complications in all those cases were a few cardiac tamponades, relieved with drains, and two cases of asymptomatic pulmonary stenosis picked up on MRI. That sounded pretty good to me, along with his success rates. I too was interested in the cryo approach, but after meeting with Dr. Leon, I felt totally confident in his approach. And at this point (2 days post ablation) I'm amazed at the change in my outlook on life. I know this sounds a bit premature, and may well be, but I was working in the yard today for several hours with no problems. I haven't been able to do that for 2 years. So I guess I'm saying, you might enjoy meeting with Dr. Leon. I had another thought. When I met with Dr. Leon, 6 weeks ago, he said that I was a prime candidate for ablation success: lone/paroxysmal afib. No cardioversions. I thought he wouldn't mind my being one of his patients, to help pad his numbers. Well, I'll take success any way I can get it. Lester Re: PA >> >>Hi Lester, >> >> No, I'm in Colmbia, not ton! Interesting...I also worked in plastic surgery (and burns) for 10 years...at the Augusta Regional burn center. I've been in primary care then more recently Cardiology (current). >> >> I have BC/BS Federal...they didn't state that I would be limited to staying " locally " but I'll double check with them now that you've mentioned this! I have seen Dr Wharton at MUSC ton and am scheduled for 8/2/06. He's one of the top 8 in the country (supposedly 85% success rate on first attempt, close to 98% following second ablation) but I still want another opinon, especially interested in cryoablation which isn't performed at MUSC, hence trying to get seen at Cleveland clinic. >> >> I am a small/thin women and am very concerned about esophogeal fistula and pulmonary stenosis. The cryoablation is much safer in this regard. Are they doing that at Emory? I didn't see them on the list of study centers. >> >> I'm so happy for you that your procedure went w/o a hitch! Keep us informed on your progress.... >> >> ....christine >> >> I didn't know of Emory's >> >>lrobert@... wrote: >> , >> >>You're in ton? One of our former Emory residents is the chief of plastics there, I think. Duke Hagerty. Great guy. Anyway, I worked at Crawford Long as part of the Emory Clinic Section of Plastic Surgery for 15 years. I'm working with a private group of docs that are still affiliated with Emory. As far as Dr. Leon, he just happened to be the chief EP at Emory and works at the Crawford Long hospital. I've heard, through this forum, that he is ranked in the top 10-15 EP's in the country. And he just happens to be the kind of doc that you can talk to and garners a great deal of confidence from everybody that works with him, from doctors to nurses. His fellow said they've done over 300 ablations. And hey claim a success rate of 60-80%, depending on the afib type. No major complications. If you're going outside your system, it wouldn't hurt to visit Atlanta. Though I can imagine what your insurance company is going to say. I was lucky to have this fellow right in my >> referral network. What do your cardiologists say? >>Good luck. >> >>Lester >> >> >>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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