Re: Dr Natale/ CC PVAI

[Guest guest]

,

Dr. Natale ablated the 4 PVs and the superior vena cava. Things change

quickly at the CC as the procedures evolve, so you might want to check

in with the nurses every now and then to see if anything is new.

>

> I have been reading lately that for persistent Afibbers, more

> structures than just the PVs may need to be ablated. Structures such

as

> the Left Atrial Roof, Anterior LA, Coronary Sinus, and LA appendage.

>

> Does anyone know if Dr. Natale/CC also ablates these structures

during

> a PVAI ablation? If so, do they do it on the first PVAI procedure, or

> do they wait to do it on a follow-up PVAI 'as needed'?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I have been reading lately that for persistent Afibbers, more

> structures than just the PVs may need to be

ablated.

, I was diagnosed with persistent AF last JAN. At first all the

information I came across was on catheter PVA. I was informed that it

would be a 10 mn wait to have DR Natale perform it. On another BB I

just read the wait is now 12 mns. I went to see two great EP's in

Boston but my research also led me to DR Saltman at UMASS, Worcester

who developed his version of the mini maze in which all but one lesion

from the gold standard Maze III procedure are made. The LAA is also

removed. I decided that this procedure would give me as a persistent

AFiber the best chance of success on the first try (85-90%). I had the

procedure in AUG and spent just one night in the hospital. Five days

later I felt that I was at 100%. Six days post op I was cleared to do

anything I desired. Truly minimally invasive surgery! Others have had

great success with DR Wolf's mini maze. Best of luck, Dave C.