That's what I thought.

IslandLuvr:

I have to thank you so much for posting that website. I never saw this before. This EP is emphatic, direct, and doesn't mince words. ABLATION IS NOT FOR THE ASYMPTOMATIC! (risk is not worth it and success is not that good because, unlike other arrythmias, afib is nor well understood. I am also Persistent and that makes the success rate go down further.

You just put me in NSR: Normal Smart Reasoning.

This Dr makes his money from ablations and treatment. Thank God there is someone that is clear and not misleading. for me, the answer is NO at this time.

Thanks again.

petey

When I watched it, I thought of you. Glad it helped. :)

It's nice to see some honest doctors out there who put their patients first and money second. If he was closer geographically, I'd go to him.

When I watched it, I thought of you. Glad it helped. :)

It's nice to see some honest doctors out there who put their patients first and money second. If he was closer geographically, I'd go to him.

When I watched it, I thought of you. Glad it helped. :)

It's nice to see some honest doctors out there who put their patients first and money second. If he was closer geographically, I'd go to him.

Good lord... my computer must have burped! Sorry for the multiple posts!

It's nice to see all the palm trees... :-)

I went to his website. Where is he?

http://heartrhythmconsult.com/category/ablation/

HONEST ADVICE

Atrial Fibrillation and Cognitive Decline
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON MARCH 2, 2012 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Several studies have shown that there exists a correlation between Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and cognitive impairement. Presumambly the mechanism for this is silent small thromboembolic events that do not manifest as full blown strokes. This association is obviously concerning, and some would advocate aggresive treatment of AFib secondary to these concerns. However, one should also understand that more aggressive treatments such as catheter ablation may also result in undected small strokes that can also contribute to cognitive impairement. The most important therapy in preventing these episodes is proper anticoagulation at ALL times for those patients who are at risk for these complications.


The Arctic Front New Fontiers for Atrial Fibrillation
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2012 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common arrhythmia in the world today. As such, there is a constant effort in discovering new therapies that simplify the approach to treating AFib. One such tool is the Arctic Front Cryoablation modality for ablating AFib. This unique tool utilizes a balloon that encircles the outer portion of the pulmonary veins, and can safely freeze the surrounding tissue eliminating the electrical signals related to the AFib. The major advantage of this method is the significantly shorter duration of the procedure. It also allows for the structural copmponents of heart tissue to be preserved primarily targeting the electrical parts of the heart. It is a new therapy with enormous future potential.

Atrial Fibrillation recurrence post Ablation
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON DECEMBER 7, 2011 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
It is quite common for patients to have episodes of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) during the first three months following ablation. This period of time is typically referred to as a blanking period. It is thought to be secondary to the significant degree of inflammation following the extensive ablation lesions performed. Recurrence during this time should not be viewed as failure, although 20-30% of patients will require a second procedure.

Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and improved renal function
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
A recent study demonstrated that Rafiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) was associated with improved renal function. This benefit persisted for up to 12 months following the procedure. This is encouraging news, but still requires further investigation. The mechanism by which kidney function improved was unclear. A partial explanation is improvemnet in heart pumping function with subsequent increased renal blood flow. However, this does not account for the entire benefit as the authors point out. Overall, this is an exciting finding, yet more research is required on this front. I would not recommend AFib RFA solely based on hopes of improved renal function following the procedure.

Getting off medications for Atrial Fibrillation?
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON OCTOBER 26, 2011 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
A close relative who has Atrial Fibrillation(AFib) recently visited her dentist who himself had an ablation (RFA)for AFib, and was quite surprised that my relative hat not had this procedure yet. He was told that he would be able to discontinue his medications post RFA!
Unfortunately, most patients are inappropriately told that they can stop their AFib medications post RFA. This is not always the case. In fact, recent studies have shown that despite feeling well post RFA, silent episodes of AFib continue, and the risk do stroke remains a real threat. Make sure to discuss the statistical data regarding this question prior to taking the risk of discontinuing all your AFib treatments.
CABANA Trial
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2011 IN ABLATION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
The Catheter Ablation versus Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation (CABANA) trial is a critical patient clinical trial for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). It essentially will randomize patients to treatment with either medications or ablation as first line treatment and then compare outcomes. The trial is long overdue.
The best patients for this trial are those with SYMPTOMATIC AFib. If you do not have symptoms, why expose yourself to the risks associated with medications and/or ablation!
BY DR. ROBERT GOLDSTEIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2011 IN ABLATION
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) are extremely common, and occurs in patients of all age groups. Symptoms can vary from the completely asymptomatic patient to those who cannot function because of their PVCs. Importantly, if the PVCs burden is high (>12,000/24 hrs), the heart can become weaker.
The most common site for PVC origin in the structurally normal heart is the Right Ventrciular Outflow Tract (RVOT). radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is often curative in most cases. First line therapy is beta blocker or calcium channel blocker medication.

Good stuff, Petey. Impaired cognitive function? So that explains why I can't find my keys!

Can you post a URL for his blog?

It looks like he's in Beachwood, Ohio.

Here are some sites I found with contact info:

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Robert_N_Goldstein

http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-robert-goldstein-2dcrq

His website is at the top of my last post... cognitive decline? :-) petey

Just watched the video. Well spoken and direct presentation. Further "realistic" and honest admission/testimony regarding how much more research/testing needs to be done to understand this very complicated condition. Thanks for the post IslLvr. ;)

I gather that this Dr. means asymptomatic not including fatigue, dizziness, depression, etc. Those to me are symptomatic. The last resort is NOT an ablation. The last resort is the MAZE procedure.

I gather that this Dr. means asymptomatic not including fatigue, dizziness, depression, etc. Those to me are symptomatic. The last resort is NOT an ablation. The last resort is the MAZE procedure.

I gather that this Dr. means asymptomatic not including fatigue, dizziness, depression, etc. Those to me are symptomatic. The last resort is NOT an ablation. The last resort is the MAZE procedure.

I wish I had not read this now. My wife is going to have an ablation the 27th of this month. I still feel she is making the right decision due to her health problems. She has antiphospholipid antibody syndrome which is thick blood and has been taking blood thinners for years. The syndrome is gone at this time and the Dr. said she has a 1% chance of it returning. The Tikosyn has worked well up to this point but she is now starting to have more palapations so she decided on an ablation. I hope this is the best optition for her. She has proxsymal afib and the EP says now is the best time to try an ablation. He did say that he might have to do a touch up later.