Cryo Maze??

[migmog]

Saw my EP yesterday. Due to ongoing PAF since having ablation he is now seriously talking of using the Cryo Maze technique. Will try the holster for a week and see what readings show on there. Anything that I should be aware of the Maze?

[BobD Volunteer]

It is very new! I doubt many people have any experience so far so if you fancy being a pioneer keep us posted.

[migmog]

Thanks Bob for your interest but must say at this point keeping it at arms length until after the Holter monitoring.

Mags

[farmerwalt]

Hi migmog,

From the reading I've done, CryoMaze is more effective at stopping AF especially for those like me who have been in permanent AF for years. It is also reported to be safer than Catheter Ablation since there is no risk of burning too deep, as in CA. Also found that the sooner you get it done the more effective it's likely to be. I was never offered ablation by my cardio and when I asked to see an Electro-Physiologist, following an AFA Patients day, I was told that I had been on permanent AF too long. Was told the chances of success were very low and the risks fairly high. So I would say, "go for it".

Hope things go well.

Walter.

[migmog]

Hello Walter, words of encouragement will give me the right answer when the time comes.

Regards Mags

[Vivante]

I had the cryomaze procedure at the same time the surgeon repaired the hole in my heart, January 2006. It is not a new procedure Maze lll . is used in conjunction with the mitral valve operation. Unfortunately the hole in my heart was too close to the valves so they had to go through the sternum. The mini maze is less invasive, it is keyhole surgery.

Look for the Cox-Maze procedure. If I remember right it was discovered 25 ears ago. I'm sure that can be confirmed. It is also known as Cryosurgery, Cryotherapy.

CryoMAZE procedure creates electrical barriers in the upper chamber of the heart by applying an Argon powered cold probe. By freezing the tissues to very cold temperatures, electrical activity is permanently blocked. Unfortunately the process itself leaves some scarring across the heart.

The Cryotherapy is also used in many other types of surgery, such as cancer.

[Loquitir]

The Cardio EP consultant us best placed to advise on what treatment to pursue in what is a rapidly developing medical technology base. I have had 6 ablations of AF and continue to take medication. Each procedure has brought about marked improvements and better management. The very fast ventricular response is under control and the sudden blackouts are infrequent rather than the norm.

Any treatment for AF is likely to require a mixture of medication, change in lifestyle and ablation therapy to optimally manage the risks and symptoms of AF.

I have experienced both RF ablation and Crypto Ablation and they have delivered the specific intervention assessed at the time.

For what it's worth, I have adjusted over the many years as a long sufferer to reconcile that the genetic and physiology of AF will not result in a cure and a lot of effort is needed to manage patient expectations on finding appropriate support and a AF management plan so a patient is risk managed, symptoms controlled and psychologically supported to get on and make the best of it.

The national access to EP cardiology is a big advancement in the treatment of AF and I gave seen a huge shift in emphasis in the 20 years or so since I have lived with.

A lot more needs to be done a GP/ primary care to identify AF cases especially amongst teenagers where asthma is often attributed to symptoms.

Most primary care facilities have the equipment to a ECG patients and they could easily identify more cases early on with a bit more patient and political push to get it done.