QUESTION REGARDING POST OPEN HEART SURGERY

Hi, I am a 45 year old woman. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with hypercardiomyopathy. They later found this August that I had a heart infection, so I under went open heart surgery. They replaced two of my valves with mechanical valves, cut away some of my left ventricle muscle, and attempted to do an ablation, however that part was not successful. My heart continues to go into irratic heart beat, and the doctors are telling me I can't go for another ablation because of my mechanical valves and I am considered highrisk. , and they are suggesting a pace maker. I was wondering what your input would be on this?? Please get back to me as soon as possible.. Thank you for your time.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Every case is different.  Certainly mechanical valves are a consideration.  I have watched Dr. Natale do atrial fibrillation on people with mechanical valves.  Dr. Natale is now in California.  If you are near Cleveland or California, consider getting a second opinion from someone like Bob Schweikert at the Cleveland Clinic or Dr. Natale in California. If they say no, it might be time to look into other options.  A pacemaker may help but I do not want to comment on whether or not you need one without knowing the whole case.  decisions can be difficult sometimes.

I hope this helps, thanks for posting.

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