While investigating the cardiologist in my area, that specialize in controlling afib, I came across this, this,....... (well I cant say what I really want to say here) . this "doctor" making statements and promises. Ive only had afib for a very short time, 2 years, and have avoided any surgery and most meds. But I know enough now that having an electrophysiologist cardiologist make the statements that he does... well... RUN FOREST, RUN! He made the statements, 'THEY ARE CURED' , "ITS A CURE, A LIFE SAVING.." refering to the ablations he has done.
If only it were true..This is on the (US) Florida Hospital's website:
That's America for you. Here in UK we understand that any and all treatment is only for quality of life. Stopping the symptoms does not mean you are cured and does not remove stroke risk either.
I know this as many other do. It really *is as me off that je makes a statement like that. Two Years ago I may have believed it, but today I understand this monster.
I will be calling g the hospital tomorrow and reporting this false information and the doctor that is misrepesenting this proceedure.
A GP I saw recently told me my AF 'is under control'. As she was a locum I just gave her a funny look, but I wouldn't call frequent episodes of PAF as recorded on my monitor and three days of AF with speeds up to 168 as recorded in A&E 'under control'. GPs are often woefully ignorant about AF but you expect an EP to know better 😡
this wasnt a gp making this statement. this was an electrophysiologist cardiologist.! No kidding. My mouth is still open from the shock of his statement
I asked my EP exactly this question and this was the reply. Studies have demonstrated that the stroke risk does not change. As for why this is it is unknown. However, there are a few possibilities. There could still be AF that a patient is unaware of e.g. when sleeping. AF maybe part of a broader syndrome that could include other changes to the vascular system, and it is these co-morbidities that drive stroke risk.
"Left Ventrical Closures, are effective because they eliminate the possibility of blood collecting in the left atrial appendage, which is where most Afib-related blood clots form. Nevertheless, blood clots can still form elsewhere in the body and cause stroke or other problems.?
Further to K fib's excellent response it is not the AF that causes the risk but the company it keeps. A person with a zero Chadsvasc score who only used anticoagulation for the purpose of preparing for and recovering from ablation has the choice to stop anticoagulation but for many(most) of us continuation is wise. As the old saying goes you can stop anticoagulation but you can't undo a stroke.
It’s interesting because there is no solid information regarding this. I have scoured the Canadian, Japanese, American and European heart studies and although the most recent study from the UK shows the stroke risk in post ablation patients without AF recurrence is 6 times lower, there is still a lot of waffling as to the answer.
I also cannot find any articles on stats regarding long term or permanent success ( no more AF) after ablation. Sure, the quote is 85% success in the right patient, but what do they measure as success? 1 year, 5 years, permanent? Any ideas? Thank you.
One of the other ablation methods that was discussed with us was from a thoracic surgeon (hope I spelled it right) which suggested the mini-maze. During this proceedure the Left Atrial Appendage is sealed off or removed. This is "effective because they eliminate the possibility of blood collecting in the left atrial appendage, which is where most Afib-related blood clots form. Nevertheless, blood clots can still form elsewhere in the body and cause stroke or other problems." We did not opt for this proceedure because I didnt want to have any type of surgery for my Afib, at this time.
Man sees a Dr. about his venereal disease. Dr says you waited too long, we'll have to amputate. Well... he didn't like that so saw 5 more DRs who all said the same thing.
Man then decides to go see a Chinese TCM DR. Dr examines him and says " Those American DRs, all they want to do is cut cut cut! Wait a week and it will fall off by itself."
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