Pericarditis & minimaze

[ObiDyer]

Have been exploring options for minimaze procedures to address my persistent AF but a cardiologist reckons my minor pericardial thickening would make access to the heart difficult hence I am not suitable. I would have thought sharpening the scalpel would soon sort it and it feels like a convenient cop out.. Any thoughts /similar experiences?

[ozziebob]

Can I direct you to the first of a new monthly series of live 1 hour videos on YouTube (on the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart Hospital channel) by Dr Wolf of mini maze fame. This first event occurred 2 Tuesdays ago at 11pm UK time. His following videos will appear on the first Tuesday of each month during autumn & winter (I think). My interest in the mini maze is not as urgent as yours, but I found the first video absolutely game-changing re my ideas around surgical procedures for AF.

Of course the Forum's resident expert is MummyLuv , and hopefully she will respond with more comprehensive knowledge and resources.

You can watch the first video here ...

youtube.com/live/i9PG4sUjkV...

Please let me know what you think of the video.

Bob.

[ObiDyer in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks Bob.. always good to view new info however I have been effectively blown out by the specific concern re pericarditis so I'm really trying to get a handle on whether that is truly a stumbling block which would effectively exclude me from ALL maze procedures Cheers

[ozziebob in reply to ObiDyer]

If you watch his live events "live", you will see Dr Wolf has a question and answer session during the hour where he answers the most interesting questions sent by viewers during the event. The first video, link above, included his answering patients who asked about their unique complicating factors. Nothing dodged. You might be lucky, if you watch the next live session in October and submit your own query then, that it will get answered. Do watch that first video and see the answers he has given to the difficult complications already raised by various viewers. Very impressive video.

Good luck.

[ObiDyer in reply to ozziebob]

It's a fair cop! I responded without checking it out, apologies. I'll see what I can do Thanks

[ozziebob in reply to ObiDyer]

Moi aussi! I mean, "it's a fair cop" for me too! Not "I'm an Aussie"! but that is true as well.

I did rush my first Reply in my over enthusiasm for the mini maze procedure and Dr Wolf's live video and missed your main emphasis. Thankfully, the universe has guided you (via my inattention) to the "live question and answer" section of his live events (a YouTube chat option it seems), where you might well be able to ask Dr Wolf directly. Great.

I suggest you submit your question as soon as the live event starts to ensure it gets seen/read. I think Dr Wolf said his next live event (1st Tuesday in October) would include personal testimony by some of his patients.

Good luck.

[Poochmom in reply to ozziebob]

Hi Bob. The you tube presentations are not new. They have been going on for years. They took a break this summer and have started up again. If you search YouTube you can find a plethora of them and get a lot of information.

[ozziebob in reply to Poochmom]

Yes, it's hard not to be aware of that, but watching his videos is new to me, and the first one of the new series "Afib: A new look at an old problem" seemed to cover Dr Wolf's mini maze techniques particularly well, and I wanted to share my response and Dr Wolf's resumption of live events with others on the Forum. I'm now subscribed to that channel. Fortunately I am not yet in need of any surgical procedures, so my viewing of his previous "catalogue of works" is very very limited, although I know it is there on YouTube waiting for me when/if the need arises.

And I was pleased to know that saulger liked my Post when I first mentioned Dr Wolf's recent starting of his live events and that first video.

All good, onwards and upwards to infinity and beyond!

[Poochmom in reply to ozziebob]

Got it! I just wanted to be sure that folks have all info at their disposal. Doc Wolf is the real deal. Everything a doctor should be. Glad you are enjoying it.

[Mrsvemb]

Personally, I wouldn’t take the cardiologists word for it. I would seek a consultation with a mini maze surgeon.

[saulger in reply to Mrsvemb]

I agree. The best person to answer is a thoracic surgeon.

This article suggests that it may be treatable and could be due to infection and inflammation.

Https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22373-constrictive-pericarditis#:~:text=Constrictive%20pericarditis%20means%20that%20your,Infections.

[mjames1]

"... but a cardiologist reckons my minor pericardial thickening would make access to the heart difficult hence I am not suitable..."

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As others have intimated, your cardiologists "reckoning" should only be a starting point with such an important decision at hand., You need to consult with a cardiac surgeon who will be doing the minimaze. Only the surgeon can tell you if you're a good candidate or not.

Jim

[Goosebumps]

I would echo the responses of others and get a second opinion from a qualified minimaze surgeon. I suggest that you check the posts by Mummyluv. I believe that Her EP cardiologist told her that a Mini maze wouldn’t work. She had a version of ‘mini maze’ done in the UK that has been completely successful and her cardiologist has had to subsequently eat humble pie and admit he was wrong.

[MummyLuv]

hi there, we have chatted and like others have said best to ask a cardio thoracic surgeon, they will give a definitive answer. Cardiologists are sadly not well versed in this procedure. I do hope you have managed to get an appointment and that you will then have an option to progress if that‘a what you choose 🤞