Maze procedure

Posted by Sam Hoffman on May 02, 1999 at 23:23:57
I am looking for information re: Dr Cox' external maze procedure for the treatment of afib. I have undergone 3 unsuccessful radio catheter ablations
at UCSF with Dr. Michael Lesh over the last 4 years to attempt to return me to sinus rhythm from chronic afib. Dr Cox' procedure is minimally invasive, and I am told has an 80% success rate. He has performed only 20-50 of these procedures, I understand, so I am concerned that the technology is still somewhat risky. I am 47 years old and in excellent health otherwise.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on May 03, 1999 at 11:29:05
Dear Sam, thank you for your question.  Dr. Cox practices at Washington University in St. Louis, MO so if you would like to contact him, I suggest you call Barnes Medical Center in St. Louis, MO.  However, if you have had 3 unsuccessful radio frequency ablation attempts to eliminate atrial fibrillation, then you may not be an ideal candidate for a surgical Maze procedure.  Dr. Patrick McCarthy performs the surgical Maze procedure here at Cleveland Clinic and he can be reached at 1-800-223-2273 (ask for his office) if you have any questions for him.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.