Finding Fellow Patients With Atrial Fibrilation

[deadsoul]

Hi, guys. I have mitral and aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation, as well as atrial fibrilation. AF started 3 years ago. It's been a big headach. My doctor said I was in need of a valve replacement surgery and ablation.

Before having this surgery, I'd love to know as many fellow patients as possible. Let's share symptoms, medical records, surgery exriences/results. If convenient, please leave your email address. (or other contact info)

Mine is: nb_player***@****

Thanks to all.

[deadsoul]

Thanks a lot, Jerry.

Sorry I wasn't aware they did not allow to post email addresses here.

So, fellow patients, please PM me using this site's mailbox. Thanks.

[Jerry_NJ]

You can use the MedHelp email and note pad to communicate ... I recommend people not to put post their email address.  While it is a "public" piece of information I still believe we are each better off by keeping it to ourselves.  We can, of course, exchange email addresses via the MedHelp email facility.

That said I am one, with experience, that you are looking for.  I in general limit my communications to posting on this Community as it offers the benefit of being available to others.

My first recommendation is to talk with your doctor and surgeon about doing a Maze procedure on your heart when they have it open for valve repair.  This may stop the AFib, no guarantee,  and would then make an ablation unnecessary.  

I had Mitral Valve repair and a mini-maze done in November of 2007.  The valve repair seems to be doing well, but the maze did not cure the AFib.. somewhat expected as I have an enlarged left atrium due to years of a leaky Mitral valve.  I am not considering an ablation because my symptoms from permanent AFib are tolerable.  The advice I have from my doctors is in my case the benefits of a successful ablation do not justify the risk. There is some risk, in the same range as the risk of open heart surgery, due to the fact that the catheter(s) have to "break through" from the right side to the left side of the heart.