Atrial Fib

Posted By Tom on February 06, 1999 at 18:31:08:







I am 51 years old and have had A-Fib. since 1981. Have been in chronic fib. for approximately the last ten years. Currently on Verapamil and one asprin per day. I am still very active but starting to have some problems with excercise,etc. I am very, very interested in catheter abalation and realize from what I read that it is not used presently for A-fib. but have heard second hand that it has had some limited use with some success.(My understanding is that the catheter procedure imitates the maze procedure to a certain extent, but obviously with no open heart surgery.) Are there in clinics or hospitals or doctors trying this for A-fib? I would even consider being in a study if that were possible. If it is not currently an option what is the outlook in the near future for this procedure. I don't mean to sound desperate but I would go anywhere to pursue catheter abalation of A-fib. if it were available and relatively safe. What do you think? Thanks so much for any help.   Tom
Tom