Chronic afib

[Darryl823]

I'm 47 yrs old living in Hawaii as a kid in the late 1960's got Rheumatic Fever...it affected two of my heart valves, in 2003 I had my first heart surgery and replaced my mitral valve then in 2005 doctors replaced my aortic valve.  The 2005 surgery I had the Maze Procedure done.  I've been having afib problems for the last 13 years I've been shocked out of afib more than 20 times...two weeks ago was my latest cardio version and it lasted 1 day I was back in afib. My cardiologist is sending me to a specialist for an evaluation of a re-maze procedure.  The re-maze will be through a catheter he said having a re-maze greatly reduces(96% success) the chance of afib coming back...another thing is the specialist is in Hawaii but the doctor who does these re-mazes is in Michigan(I would have to fly).  Any other options, I don't like the feeling being in afib or the doctor might say get use to it or leave it alone.  Any suggestions...


This discussion is related to Re: Maze Procedure.

[Darryl823]

Aloha Jerry,
Thanks for the reply and encouragment.  I read about the mini-maze procedure...the doctor told me I'm not a good candidate for that due to having it done originally in 2005. I'm also told a pacemaker is not for me.  There are doctors in Hawaii who are doing the re-maze procedure but i think they haven't done enough of them.  Hopefully there's a conference of doctor's here on vacation willing to do me...if not I'm off to Michigan.

Thanks again Mahalo, Darryl

[Jerry_NJ]

There are some "robotic" procedures now for dealing with heart surgery... some of these go through openings to accomplish their work with less trauma to the body (and mind).  I don't know if that is what your doctors are talking about.  But I have heard about a mini-maze that is somewhat effective and there are ablations that can be done for AFib, has that been discussed with you?  I too have had open heart surgery and a mini-maze while the Mitral valve was being repaired.  I still have AFib and while I too got extended relief from electrocardioversions in the past, they no long work..... but I am over 20 years you senior, so I am just living with AFib as my symptoms are not too bad.  At your age a cure is the way to go.  Surprised to read Hawaii doesn't have resident expertise, albeit the robotic methods are still very specialized and limited.  The hospital that did my surgery in 2007 was not able to do robotic Mitral valve repair, so I had the full sternum opened up.  

Best of luck.