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.

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queenjuju 08/30/2015

I have AFIb daily and the EP wants to do cyroablation/pacemaker and catheter ablation for the other arrhythmias to better control my AFib since I am very symptomatic.

I have been reading about much suggest with hybrid ablation where a surgeon scars the outside of the heart and the EP scars the inside of the heart with positive results and it is not so invasive as the Cox Maze or the hybrid Cox Maze.

I have also read about CPMC in San Francisco performing ablation using CARTOMERGE Technology which is suppose to be very good as well.

I want to make a good decision since it is my heart they are scarring. Has anyone had these procedures? Dr. Hao studied. Under Dr. Natalie at CPMC in San Francisco. I assume he is quite good, but since I live in Virginia Beach, VA that Is quite a long trip for a consult.

Thanks for any feedback.
Judy

duder 08/31/2015

Early results do suggest that the hybrid procedure looks quite promising. Like you, I'm very symptomatic. I've had two ablations (one cryo, one RF), and if it turns out that I need another one, I will be investigating the hybrid procedure.

I have to drive 3 hours to visit my EP, but I picked him because he's one of the best. Its your heart, you only have one - its worth it.

queenjuju 08/31/2015

Thanks for your reply Duder. I am hoping to learn more as I have already had an ablation with quite a lot of burns for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. I am not anxious to go through it all again without really researching all my options. I appreciate your info.

Judy

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