To Ablate or not to Ablate...

January 7, 2006

Folks: For those of you who have had an ablation, I would really appreciate

hearing from you. I am a 46 year old male, married and father of three. I

was initially diagnosed with AFib at age 39. Like many of our AFib

colleagues, I've had mixed results and diminishing returns with different

meds. Over the years I've blown through increasing levels of atenolol, then

sotolol. (I've had eight electocardioversions and have self converted a few

times since 2000.)

After breaking through the highest doseage of Sotolol my doc would prescribe

(this on my eldest daughter's birthday - for the second year in a row), I

got serious and called the Cleveland Clinic. Long story short I was seen by

Dr. Natale and am now scheduled for an ablation by him on May 1.

Now here's my dilema. My local doc prescribed a low dose cocktail of

Flecainide, Altace, Toprol XL and Warfarin since that last e-cardioversion

last February. I have had no AFib symptoms since. I work regular hours, am

in the gym almost everday day for weights and cardio and am enjoying a

quality of life - and confidence - that I haven't experienced in years.

I am struggling with the thought of the procedure now. It's not the ablation

in and of itself, but the unknown since things are working so well now with

the meds. I have a growing active family, a challenging job that I love, 30

employees who count on me and the pressing concerns and responsibilities of

middle age multi-taskers. Am I daft for thinking I should postpone the

procedure which two EPs have told me is inevitable, or should I charge on

and have this done in spring by one of the best in the Afib-remedy business?

Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom. -- Greg

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