Tomorrow I will be one of the first patients in Australia to have a keyhole maze procedure. It seems that the success rate is something around 75-85%.
Experienced my first episode of atrial fibrillation in 2000, as a fit and healthy 48 year old.
Since 2000 I’ve been on a range of medications. Mainly sotalol. Two strokes in 2005 and 2010. Progressed from paroxysmal to persistent AF in 2013. Since then a number of cardioversions and two ablations. AF has remained persistent with episodes becoming more frequent and longer duration.
So, I'm sitting in a ward patiently waiting. Let’s hope that I am one of the lucky ones. Living with AF is such a drag.
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robboian
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I too was one of the first 20 or so to have the Maize Procedure in the Uk in November 2014 & June 2015. Since then I have gradually built up my strength, back to a bike riding & fit again 67 year old. Are you having both procedures dine at the same time or are you coming back in 3 months later for the 2nd Part? This is assuming I am talking about the Hybrid Procedure? Good luck anyway, and take the rehabilitation very slowly for the first 4 - 5 months.
I have already had two catheter ablations. The atrial ablation via a chest entry is new. I've been told that they may touch up the previous ablations at the same time. I guess that makes the overall work a hybrid approach?
Hi there robboian hope all went well and you are either in recovery or back in the ward ....wish you a speedy recovery and don't forget to be kind to your self .......regards Jo
Dear Robbolan. I will be thinking of you and wish you every success in your pioneering procedure. Please do let us know what you have experienced and how you are getting on. We are all very interested. Anne
I had a Video Assisted Thoroscopic Surgical ablation with isolation of LAA, 8 months ago in the UK and have been AF free since. Take it easy, hope you feel better soon. X
Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. is the only hospital in the state to offer the minimally invasive Lone Atrial Fibrillation Ablation often referred to as a mini-maze procedure. The surgery offers hope to atrial fibrillation patients for whom other treatments have not worked.According to Cardiovascular Surgeon William Harris, MD, the technology in doing this has been around for a few years. "Many people don't know this is an option for them, but it is a highly effective way to treat AF, with an 85 to 95 percent chance to cure it."
Glad you posted about this. Can see me having to have this after 4 ablations. If it is offered of course. Fantastic to have LAA isolated. I have had a clot in there
Hi The cardiothoracic surgeon is Michael Yii. Also at Epworth. I'm a few days in now and am almost ready to do a progress report. Look out I'll do something in the next day or two.
Too late to wish you good luck, but I hope that you are well. I too am an Australian, a Sydneysider, considering the procedure. So please, if you have a moment, let me know how you are doing.
I had the modified maze procedure in November 2015, so its about 18 months on. Apart from three short bursts of AF 12 months after the procedure I have been AF free ever since.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Off all beta blockers, lifestyle has returned. Although the first 24 hours post op were very painful the recovery was relatively uneventful for me.
However, it's not universally successful. My cardiologist has eight patients who have had this procedure, the results are generally positive but in one case the person has not done so well. This might be because of the specific technique that was used. The approach only isolated the left atrium and it seems that some triggers come from the right side. I believe that some surgeons in the USA are now isolating both left and right sides.
Happy to talk if you can get some contact details to me.
First of all. Congratulations, you have done well. And thank you for a swift answer. I'd like to have a chat, appreciate the offer. It may have to be over the phone, since I am a Sydneysider.
Would you be kind enough to email me on a1sydneytj@gmail.com?
Hi there, there are actually a few nhs trusts who do have surgeons doing mini maze/hybrid, Sheffield. Liverpool, Newcastle, Coventry, London, Plymouth, Oxford and Brighton to name a few. Very good news if you are in England. If you are in Scotland or Wales it’s not available to us on the NHS yet.
The post above was 7 years ago and Australia now have at least 2 hospitals carrying out hybrid procedures 👍
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glad your procedure went well and that you’re in NSR
Ablation on the horizon
Transition to permanent AF from paroxysmal
Just (another) thought.......
Ablation tomorrow 
Help!!
