10 years ago I was diagnosed with an AVM.
Which never gave me any disturb so far.
3 years ago I was diagnosed with A-Fib .
My episodes vary from once a month to once every three to four months.
Now I am in a dispute with our health authorities about having an ablation.
Because I cannot take any blood thinners, because of the AVM.
The professor ( E P ) who wants to do the intervention on me, from abroad.
Not from my country.
In my country ablations cannot be done.
The professor ( E P ) suggested 3 options.
In his center they can do Mini-Maze surgery which normally doesn’t involve using blood thinners. Though it’s more invasive and traumatic, it has a good chance of getting rid of your A-Fib. And by removing your Left Atrial Appendage, it protects you from having an A-Fib stroke. It would normally replace having to take blood thinners, which you can’t do.
They also do a Hybrid Surgery/Ablation. The surgeon does a Mini-Maze, then the E P looks inside your heart to check on the surgeon’s isolation of the pulmonary veins. This is a very innovative strategy combining the best of the surgical and ablation strategies.
These are the 3 options
1. A PVI combined with insertion of the Watchman device. This is probably the most effective option because the E P can also work in other parts of your heart which may need ablating.
2. A standard Mini-Maze operation with removal of your Left Atrial Appendage. This has a good chance of curing your A-Fib, though it isn’t always as effective as a PVI. But by removing your Left Atrial Appendage, you would be protected from having an A-Fib stroke and wouldn’t normally need to take anticoagulants.
3. A Hybrid Surgery/Ablation. This is a combined approach with the EP checking inside your heart if the Surgeon has effectively isolated your pulmonary veins when doing a Mini-Maze. But I don’t know if heparin has to be used during the ablation part of the operation.
If options 1 a 3 aren’t possible, you will still have option 2 the Mini-Maze. That should give you confidence and hope. You know there is a way to help you.
Has any one have been in this situation?
And if yes what was the final result.
I be very obliged if some one will answer my questions.
Thank you