Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
I am one month post FIRM ablation, and I feel great!! It took a a while to get up to a good energy level, but I am finally there! It's a fantastic feeling!! If anyone has any specific questions about the surgery or recovery, please post. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Several people have inquired about doctors other than Dr. Narayan who perform the FIRM ablation. According to Dr. Narayan, there are several doctors throughout the US doing FIRM ablations. Here is a partial list. If I hear of more from him, I will post those, also.
Dr. Robert Kowal, Baylor, Dallas
John Miller, Indiana U.
John Hummel, Ohio State
Jonathan Steinberg at Valley Heart in NJ
Several people have inquired about doctors other than Dr. Narayan who perform the FIRM ablation. According to Dr. Narayan, there are several doctors throughout the US doing FIRM ablations. Here is a partial list. If I hear of more from him, I will post those, also.
Dr. Robert Kowal, Baylor, Dallas
John Miller, Indiana U.
John Hummel, Ohio State
Jonathan Steinberg at Valley Heart in NJ
Glad to hear you're doing great!
I'm just curious why the long ablation time of 6 hours and only 12.5 minutes of burn time? Did you end up isolating the PVI's too?
I'm booked with Dr Natale for May 29th!
Jonathan Steinberg turned me down for FIRM as he said it's limited right now. Dr Reddy also turned me down told me it's too investigational? What gives here?
Six hours is a long time to spend under anesthesia! To the best of my knowledge, much of that time is spent prepping for the mapping of the atria. Also, three cannulas are used, one on either side of the groin and one in the neck. I suppose those take a while, too. I will find out more about my procedure when I see Dr. Narayan for my check up. Dr. Narayan and I chose not to isolate the PV. Mainly because I did not want anymore burning than necessary and he thought only the one rotor was causing the problem. Time will tell!!!
He called me today to find out how I am doing. That is when I spoke with him about other doctors who do FIRM. He gave me the names of the doctors I mentioned, but said nothing about them denying to do the procedure. Now I'm curious. I'll let you know what I find out.
Now that explains the long 6 hours. Dr Natale can knock out 3 ablations in that time with a success rate of 90% for paroxysmal.
I'll ask him about Dr Narayans work. Many triggers come the PV's so that's why isolating them is the gold standard right now. I wonder if this will change soon. Mellainie from Stop.Afib.org will be reporting on FIRM trials that were released today. Yes I'm scheduled to meet Dr Natale on May 28 then be ablated by him May 29th. Even though I was very excited about FIRM I can't wait any longer as I'm getting more frequent. Any rotors outside the PV's Natale will find.I don't want all the burning either but the heart is very resilient. Time will tell and I wish you well. I'm in touch with lots of posters that went to Natale so I appreciate it it you can PM his email address. The fast resting heart rate is a good sign Natale achieved success that's the consensus.
Reddy and Steinberg basically blew me off 4-5 months ago!
Also has your heart been calm with no episodes so far?
With so little burning why do you think your recovery took so long?