A. Fib.

I've had A. fib. for 20 yrs.
normally in excellent health
normal BP 110/70
normal RHR 55 - 60
55 yrs old
ex-athlete  
non-drinker
non-smoker
eat healthy
5' 8" 180 lbs
constantly in A. Fib.
Lately i've been in extreme pain especially at the end of the day.
Losing sleep.
with a RHR @ 175 - 225
tried all medication known they worked for a few months but then the a fib would come back with more pain.
2 stress echo's finding heart is healthy as a 25 yr. old heart
2 cardiac ablations Feb. '05,   Aug. '08
5 cardioversions last one didn't work
3 months of  acupuncture with temporary relief
3 months of Chinese erbologist with temporary relief
currently taking coumadin 7.5 mg daily, cardizm 120 mg 2 X per day, magnesium, potassium.


1. Can a third ablation get me back to normal sinus rhythm permanently?
what's the success rate of a third ablation?
or
should I have the mini-maze procedure? what's the success rate of a mini-maze?

Pacemaker is out of the question.
With a pacemaker I would still be in afib, on medication, on coumadin for possible stroke  and limited ability to exercise.

2. Why can't the cause be treated not the symptoms???
Obviously something is telling my atrium to beat this way, and it hurts!!!




This discussion is related to Live Health Chat: Atrial Fibrillation, April 13th (Special Guest Dr. Bruce Lindsay, Cleveland Clinic).

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to say your stats don't look good for an additional ablation to work for you.  You didn't mention the size of your left atrium, but if it is over 5 cm, that is another "strike" against you.
I'm sure your cardiologist and/or EP can give you a probability number.

There are other procedures such as the Maze which can not be done without going through open heart surgery, but I believe it too will not work for some cases.  I have had a mini-maze open heart while getting a mitral valve repair two years ago, it didn't stop my AFib.  But, I don't suffer the same troublesome symptoms, in fact I have no pain.