From StopAfib.org - For Afib Patients, By Afib Patients
Atrial fibrillation took center stage in a feature story in Tuesday’s Washington Post. The article not only looked at treatment for atrial fibrillation, but also at what afib does to patients. The atrial fibrillation experiences of Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, were included in this story.
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It is a very fair and balanced presentation to the general public. Atrial fibrillation is not simple condition to treat. It is now well recognized that we should be more aggressive with it. It is also fair presenting the fact that catheter ablation is not always bring desirable result.
"easy route" Patient spend 6-8 hours in heart cath lab with the 5% risk of complications- stroke, tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, STROKE and DEATH, and as result- afib may come back. You need 2 procedures wilth double risk to get to succes rate 60-70%
"dangerous route"- most invasive option- full Maze procedure with conversion rate of more then 95% and risk of 1-2 % of stroke, 1-2% of bleeding and infection. Middle line incision in the chest and 3 days in the hospital.
There are other options- minimaze and hybrid procedures. They have not b een mentioned in this article.
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