U.K. EP / Cardio recommendation?

[Jasper18]

Morning all, I’m just attempting to look for a private EP ideally in Manchester UK. Would anyone have any recommendations for me? Is it possible for a consultant to be both Cardio and EP? Thanks in advance for any help, this forum is a huge help! All the best, hope you’re all keeping stable and well!

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, I'm not from your area but when I was anxious post Stroke and long delays to NHS follow up diagnostics my GP suggested the private option. He put me in touch with our leading area Consultant, I had all the screening scans etc and a lengthy pre and post consultation and letter summary. It was enormously helpful. All within a week!!!!! As opposed to three months minimum on NHS. It wasn't cheap but not much more than an unexpected car repair. Peace of mind for me and my family.

[wilsond]

If you can travel a bit Professor Osman at UCHW(University Hospital Coventry and Warwick) is excellent ,and is both an EP and a cardiologist. Highly regarded. I had an initial Private appointment then he switched me over to nhs. Didn't leapfrog lists, would not want that,but got my head round the situation BMI Meriden is the private wing of UCHW .

I was lucky enough to get my nhs double ablation there June 2022( nhs using private facilities to get us long-standing done). Perfect.

Not that far from you x

Also first consultation was 180.00, not far off an unexpected boiler service or car bill!

Now I believe about 200..230. But well worth it

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

Hi there, do you mind me asking, how long did you wait for ablation on the NHS?

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

It was over 18 months, but that was mostly due to the Pandemic. We also delayed the decision as I was responding well to flecanide whilst waiting. Once my AF and Flutter suddenly got worse ,it was only about 8 weeks.If you say you are prepared to take a cancellation, that is a good way to get seen.

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Also no flutter at all since day 1,only a few AF episodes and none for months now

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

That’s sounds great news!

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

I’d hope to go this route and look at an ablation if ones offered 🤞

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Didn't realise how much difference it would make in my general health either. Feel great! Best wishes . Xx

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

Hi, I’ll keep an eye on side effects over the next few days for sure, when I re-asked today, A&E suggested morning or night made no difference (though I wasn’t sure of the credibility of the clinician I asked tbh!). Just regarding your ablation(s). Were both your Afib & flutter done at the same time?

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Yes. Afib first then Cti line for flutter.( flutter much more straightforward, like cutting an electronic circuit)

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

That sounds really positive, I know each case is very individual, but I didn’t know this was even a possibility. I’ve had both afib and flutter diagnosed in A&E, hence me being so keen to see a private cardio / EP for a second opinion. Glad it seems to have gone so well for you, have you dared to go back to a “normal” life or are you striving to keep up healthy lifestyle changes?

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Well,I do have some good quality locally brewed ale,and some wine now and then, also have the occasional 'proper' coffee.I've always eaten healthily, and grow veg and fruit. But even more emphasis now.

In a strange way, AF has been beneficial! I did take early retirement due to being unable to carry on . It was a stressful job.

The lifestyle changes I made ,including making time for myself ,coping better with stress related to elderly parental responsibility and care,have all been much better for me.

My blood pressure was awful,now it's consistently very good.

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

Really sound's like my story has been very similar to yours - so far, and It’s fantastic to know someone’s gone through similar and “come out” the other side feeling better! I really wish you continued success in remaining totally free, have a great Xmas and new year!

[Jasper18 in reply to Jasper18]

One last thing, have you stopped all meds, or are you on anticoagulants?

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

I remain on AC as still classed as having blood pressure and on maintenance dose for that ,being female and having a small TIA a few years back. Quite happy to stay on!I'm due to peter off flecanide after Xmas and also bisoprolol.

You're welcome.

You have a nice festive season too. This site was/ is invaluable to be which is why I still hang around on it! X

[Frances123]

I saw Dr. Derek Todd from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH) privately for first consultation and then he transferred me to his NHS list for ablation. Consultation was at Spire Hospital, Warrington and ablations (have had 2) at LHCH. If memory serves the consultation was £200.

[Jasper18 in reply to Frances123]

Thanks for the reply, this sounds to be just the sort of plan I’d need. Do you mind me asking, how long ago were your ablations, are you feeling better now?

[Frances123 in reply to Jasper18]

I had a cryoablation in September 2019 and an RF in November 2020. Yes I did feel better but sadly they didn’t work. That is through no fault of the EP or LHCH but I was just one of those unlucky ones. I won’t be having anymore as DR Todd said he has done everything possible. I had 3D mapping so no stone was left unturned. I’m still under Dr Todd and haven’t been discharged. I’m in West Yorkshire and I was prepared to travel. Dr Todd came highly recommended.

[Jasper18 in reply to Frances123]

Hi, really sorry they didn’t work for you, hope your episodes aren’t too frequent!

[Jasper18]

Many thanks for the replies guys and apologies for the delay in responding. I’ve just got back from A&E for the second time in a month. Both times self reverted after a few hours monitoring. First time no medication, second time prescribed Bisoprolol low dosage once a day. I’ve a lot on with other family members in hospital atm and it’s clear that this is starting Afib / flutter. I’ve a chads of 0, I’m 58(M) so no anticoagulants so far. I’ve an echo booked for next week and I’m told I’ll have a follow up consultation. My Afib has progressed I reckon from an initial episode in Nov 2017, I had quite a few small episodes since and simply waited them out, 1-2 hours. The ones over the last month though have been v.unpleasant and debilitating. Horrible really!

Can I ask advice please? Has anyone seen improvement of symptoms from taking just Bisoprol low dosage? Also wilsond you mention a “double” ablation. Did you have both flutter / afib treated at the same time? I’ve a feeling I’ve got both! Thanks again for any help, reassurance and advice.

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Yes! Biso at 1.25mg helped control the flutter.

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks so much, I’m really hopeful for me too !🤞🤞

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Take it at night Pharmacist told me x

[Jasper18 in reply to wilsond]

I wasn’t sure tbh, the doc I saw at A&E gave me a tablet at 7.30pm, then said take a further tablet same time the next day etc. then when I got my prescription it says one tablet every morning 🤔

Other websites suggest that docs will sometimes try a first tablet on a patient at night in case of side effects, dizziness etc. if none are apparent then they revert to mornings. I’ll ask again at clinic!

[wilsond in reply to Jasper18]

Well,I cannot give medication advice. BUT after trial and error,the possibility of side effects ,which I did have taking in the morning, I was advised that Betablockers are best absorbed at night ,with less chance of initial side effects such as dizziness and so on. Check it out but ultimately your choice tbh.x

[Buzby62 in reply to Jasper18]

I found the initial 1.25mg of bisoprolol helped calm me down and reduced episodes for a while, when an increase was suggested to 2.5mg, I asked if I could split it 1.25 morning and 1.25 evening. All my episodes on 1.25 taken at 8am started in the night around 3 or 4am. The extra dose didn’t make me feel any different and didn’t reduce my heart rate like the initial dose. Also no noticeable difference in frequency or duration of episodes but more or less stopped the night time episodes. Nobody will confirm it but I’m big guy and I believe the small dose was wearing off before the 24hrs was up.

[Jasper18 in reply to Buzby62]

Sounds very likely! I’ll likely be able to update as the weeks go on. I’m taking the 1.25 as you did around 8am, my episodes are a bit random in timing but more recently early am too. Nothing noticeable in the night fortunately.

[Buzby62]

I can’t answer your question but I found this website a few weeks ago, you and others might find it useful to find the Hospitals and consultants doing heart rhythm management.

nicor.org.uk/hospital-and-o...

Hope this is helpful.

[Jasper18 in reply to Buzby62]

I’ll take a look, many thanks!

[Speed]

I can highly recommend Dr Lencioni at Birmingham. Only a little closer than Cov. He has a private clinic at the old Priory Hospital. it’s run under a new outfit since I was there - forget who) and charged £250 about 4 years ago, but I got my monies worth as I was in there for a good 30 mins. Very informative and works towards an agreed plan. Never felt pressured - but then again, he might just be very clever……

[Jasper18 in reply to Speed]

He certainly sounds it!

[Lenlec]

I can also recommend professor osman at Coventry. But it’s a 2 hour drive from Manchester approximately I think. Really nice chap. Very helpful. And highly regarded as top ep

[Jasper18]

Many thanks all for your advice and recommendations, I’m going to get something organised soon as!

[sheffbk]

Depending which side of Manc you're from, Sheffield might be close - I have been under and know two excellent and experienced EP consultant cardiologists in the NHS, based at Sheffield teaching Hospitals -- N Kelland and J Sahu -- they stay within the NHS but also have set up a private operation.

Personally I would only go NHS, but I'm sure their private practice must be good.

(Easy to find with the obv search words - they don't need my advert)

[Jasper18 in reply to sheffbk]

Sheffields good, ill take a look, cheers