mini maze/ watchman

[maisie22]

hi lovely people

Has anyone any experience of mini maze procedure and recommend anyone particularly in Scotland that would do this?

If not North of England?

Also I've heard of watchman implant to replace anticoagulants.

Any-experience of this also?

Thanks as always

🌈☀️

[Gumbie_Cat]

I don’t know much about the mini-maze personally, but MummyLuv had one of these and also did lots of research on surgeons etc. I don’t think there is anyone in Scotland, but there is a Dr Hunter in Sheffield.

[maisie22 in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

thanks so much.

[CDreamer]

Watchman device is difficult to get in UK unless you have a medical problem taking anticoagulants and can meet the NICE medical guidance criteria which is quite specific.

I did some research on it and personally I would take anticoagulants over LA appendage closure any day as there are quite a few risks involved longer term and of course the usual risks involved in invasive procedures. The main risk was I believe blood clots forming on the device months or years after the procedure. I think this was the article which concerned me medscape.com/viewarticle/97...

Like any other treatment one always needs to consider Benefit:Risk to the individual.

I would echo Gumbie_Cat comments about Mini Maze and hopefully @Mummyluv will see this thread as I have now tagged her and will reply as she has a network of followers whom she has helped by sharing information, she is the patient expert on this procedure.

You might also try putting Mini Maze in the search box.

[maisie22 in reply to CDreamer]

very helpful thanks.

[waveylines]

Hello Maisie, I can't comment on the Watchman but am on Mr Hunter waiting list to have a minimaze. This always includes the removal of the left ventricle appendige. Am not aware of any downside to the removal of of it. For many people it means no long requiring anticoagulants if they have no other heart conditions. And many can come off their heart meds after a period of recovery. The op itself is minimally invasive but does require a hospital stay and a few months to recover fully afterwards.

And just to add there, was someone on here recently whose surgeon was in Scotland who had said they could perform the procedure. Am sorry I can't remember their name.

Am sure Munnyluv or Saulger will be along to add further info.

[maisie22 in reply to waveylines]

thanks so much.

[maisie22 in reply to maisie22]

which hospital is Mt Hunter based?

[waveylines in reply to maisie22]

He is Sheffield, Northern General Hospital, South Yorkshire.

[CDreamer in reply to waveylines]

Just to reassure you that my comments only applied to the insertion of Watchman device of Left Atria appendage.

[waveylines in reply to CDreamer]

Thankyou Dreamer for the reassurance.... much appreciated . Have had other ops but never on heart so am a bit wobbly about it! 🙄 Lol.... X

[CDreamer in reply to waveylines]

Think that would be natural! Hope all goes well for you and you know you have a lot of support on the forum 😘

[waveylines in reply to CDreamer]

Awww thanks Dreamer... ❤️

[Ossie7]

it’s in Sheffield

[MummyLuv]

there is no surgeon who does mini maze in scotland that I know of sadly. Plenty of those doing open heart maze but they will not do that for lone afib, not would you want it I suspect.

I paid privately and went to Harley Street where Mr Hunter (Sheffield NHS) did my surgery. I did lots of research and chose him.

[maisie22 in reply to MummyLuv]

thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I have read quite a bit about and I'm hopeful that I might be considered. If it's affordable for us. Would try anything to rid myself of this illness. Long term it should be available to everyone as in the long run would save on drug and hospitalisation costs. It's so common.

Thanks again

May

[MummyLuv in reply to maisie22]

mr Hunter would agree with you on that! He’s trying to train more young surgeons coming through. Most EPs in the UK don’t actually know about the procedure which has been around since 2003. So he’s out speaking at conferences. I admire him.

In time with new technology like pulse field, surgery maybe less required, but right now for those in persistent or for whole ablations have failed, this is a very good route.

I’m sorry I missed your PM, I don’t normally, I’ve responded