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NJB, I had an ablation at CCF 13 days ago. Dr. Natale was the EP. I was sent home with a monitor similar to an event monitor which I used two or three years ago, but it is different. This one does not attach to the chest. Instead, there are two leads, and each lead goes to a metal wristband. I was instructed to put these on each wrist like a watchband and call a certain phone number at CCFby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim, I wish you the very best, and am glad to hear that all went well. Take care of yourself, and stay stress-free. Richardby Richard - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi PC, Yes, you are right, without norpace I was in AF about 80% of the time. I didn't find norpace that bad at all. I just didn't like taking drugs, but of all the ones I tried norpace worked the best with very little side effects; however I still had breakthroughs of AF every 3 to 4 days lasting 24-36hrs. The fact that these two episodes converted within 12 hrs is encouraging. Weby Jim W. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Jim, I too was waiting to see how things shook out for you. I know what a let down it can be when you get all psyched up to go through the procedure for the cure and it doesn't happen right away. But as Michelle says, give it time. Your heart is probably sore from the procedure and reacting the way it should right now. I'm up to three months post ablation tomorrow. I think I amby njb - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim, We're all hoping for the best for you. Since I seem to recollect that you were just about chronic, it sounds like an improvement to me, especially without meds. Did you really find Norpace to be that bad? How much were you taking? PC v54by PC - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Everyone, Newman, thanks for asking about me. I've been at the beach since my ablation on Oct 17th with Dr. Natale, and just returned home today. I wish I could say thump-thump-thump like Newman, but that isn't exactly the case with me. At this point, I remain cautiously optimistic. I have had two 12 hour bouts of AF(one on Sunday(19th) leaving Cleveland-feeling very discourageby Jim W. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Stan - I've reported my experience with Flec before but here it is again. Aug. 2001 - placed on 50 mg. flec twice a day (hospitalized to do this) Controlled afib for about 2 months. Then, breakthroughs occurred every couple of weeks. Eventually the breakthroughs were every few days or maybe once a week. By the fall of 2002, a little over 1 year later, I was still having regular brby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dear Newman - Thanks so much for the encouragement and for your update. So glad you are enjoying your beer! I'm looking forward to the same success and that euphoria that you are enjoying. Let's hope Dr. Natale has a few more "miracles" left in those hands! I expect Jim will be back to the BB by early next week, if not before so everyone can wish him well then. Regaby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jackie, Thanks for the update on Jim. It sounds very encouraging. Give him my best if you talk to him again. As for me, I couldn't be better. Not a hint of AF in the nine days since the ablation. Before the ablation, I went into AF every three or four days on average. I logged my first "two beer night" in two years last night (with the blessing of the Cleveland Clinic, whichby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim W. was scheduled for an ablation by Dr. Natale at the Cleveland Clinic last Friday, 17 October at 6:00 A.M. I talked to him on the phone the day before and the ablation was still on. Jim, are you there? How did it go? Has anyone else heard from him? Newmanby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
njb, CC will schedule you for a spiral MRI, echo, and lab work at 3-4 months post-ablation to evaluate for pulmonary stenosis. If they miss you with a scheduled appointment, call them.by Char - AFIBBERS FORUM
Kathy, Did you experience any atrial flutter or sinus tachycardia before your PVI ablation on 8/4...or were you ablated for flutter also at that time? How are they differentiating sinus tachycardia from atrial flutter other than by heart rate? I had a PVI at CC on 8/12 for AF only, but developed almost constant AFlutter about three weeks later. In flutter my heart rate is quite variable and, tby Char - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my ablation at Cleveland clinic on August 4. Were you evalutated for pulmonary stenosis? I think this will be done via a CATSCAN(spiral) if I ever get a definate followup appt. NJBby njb - AFIBBERS FORUM
I see Dr. Schweikert on 11/24 to get a 2nd opinion regarding a 2nd ablation to help with the number of PACs, atrial flutter, and sinus tachycardia I'm experiencing. I had a PVI ablation on 8/4.by Kathy - AFIBBERS FORUM
MARYJ, I don't know why your ablations were not successful. Dr. Natale and I did not discuss the reasons why my ablation might fail. We discussed the success rates and he stands by those numbers. They are very good. Choosing the right doctor is the most critical factor in whether your ablation will be successful or not. All other decisions are far less important. If you want to be cuby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congratulations, Newman! I share your joy and excitement at the prospect of life without Afib! Makes me want to proceed with an ablation more than ever. Just got our local insurance provider to approve a CCHC referal with Dr. Natale. Thought it would never happen. So, I'm days away from taking the first step - scheduling the initial appointment. Your overview gave me great hope. Thankby BillO - AFIBBERS FORUM
Your initial feedback is very heartening as I am scheduled for a Natale ablation in about 5 months. Many thanks for being so punctilious in your reporting. For me, it's like having a dress rehearsal. Please keep us all posted. Best wishes.by Woodcliff - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi JRBabb Best of luck and I'm sure you will come out of it in flying colours. I live in Canada and would like to know which group of Dr.s in Canada Dr. Sites trained with. I'm with a group here in London,Ontario,Canada who train lots of EP's and have an ablation with them also soon. Would you be so kind as to find out which group in Canada he trained with. I know Dr. Natale at CCby Frank - AFIBBERS FORUM
As I posted yesterday, I had an ablation at the Cleveland Clinic last Tuesday, 14 October. Doctor Natale performed the ablation. This post is to provide details that I think will be of interest to many of you. I had my consultation with Dr. Natale on 23 September. I posted details of that consultation on or about 25 September, so I won't repeat that information. I had my first atrial fiby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
that's terrific. I am curious. what was your ultimate conclusion as to the risk of stenosis (as opposed to the straight statistic that I am sure Natale gave you)by Susan - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just want to add what Hans has mentioned about PVA's here in Canada. I read all the posts regarding CCF and Dr. Natale and all the other great EP's doing very successful PVI's there in the states. We can only wish for a Dr. Natale to be here in Canada doing so many ablations. Dr. Natale did his internship here in Ontario and its a shame he left as so many other great Dr.s do onceby Frank - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my ablation last Tuesday, 14 October, at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Natale was my EP. I will give a detailed report on my experience as soon as I find the time. I am currently preoccupied with singing, laughing, joking, rollicking, blubbering, giggling, throwing away drugs, and preparing my shopping list for wines. Ya need to get on the waiting list. It's a piece of cake. Newmanby Newman - AFIBBERS FORUM
Buster, My recent survey included two afibbers who had had their ablations done by Dr. Saliba (under the supervision of Dr. Natale) and one done by Dr. Schweikert. All three were successful and no unsuccessful ablations were attributed to these two doctors. Hansby Hans Larsen - AFIBBERS FORUM
Buster, I have a scheduled ablation with Dr. Tchou in January. I have done a good deal of research on him, both here and other places and am confident he is one of the best. As for the others, I do know that have performed a number of ablations, but I haven't heard from anyone who has employeed them to do their ablations....... FWIW, Joeby J. Pisano - AFIBBERS FORUM
The Cleveland Clinic website lists four other MD's, in addition to Dr. Natale, who perform PVI ablations. One, Dr. Tchou, has been commented on positively in several posts. I do not recall seeing anything about the other three, Drs. Marrouche, Saliba and Schweikert. I was curious if anyone knew how the success rates and waiting times for these four compare with Natale's? Dr. Natale sby Buster - AFIBBERS FORUM
Joe, I had my ablation 7 months ago. Prior to the procedure I was in afib 90% of the time. I was on medications that I hated and had side effects. Other than the first week after the procedure I am afib free, off medications, and am living my active lifestyle like nothing happened. Is my life truly better? You better believe it. BTW, I was supposed to have Natale, but ended up with anothby LarryK - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just a question for those either considering an ablation or have had one. Has anyone experienced a worse condtion than before the ablation? I have heard some comments about aflutter. I would like to hear especially from those who have researhed the post ablation and or those that have had an ablation. Is your life truly better after an ablation (PVI)? Thanks, as I am seriously consideringby J. Pisano - AFIBBERS FORUM
To J. Pisano, Thanks so much for your complete Q&A. We learn more from each other than anyone. I liked the question re. flutter after an ablation which exactly applies to my situation. Jim addresses the issue by asking, "why don't they map in the first procedure using the carto mapping cath? Excellent question and I fear the answer is probably that it takes too long. (Only my huby Char - AFIBBERS FORUM
Pisano, Thank you so much for your post. One question I have(and will ask-maybe you already know) IS why don't they map in the first procedure using the carto mapping cath? It would, of course, take longer but then maybe there would be a lesser need for a second procedure? I know Dr. Natale takes about an hour and a half for him to do the procedure, and some days he does 3-4 proceduresby Jim w. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anton, I believe if you ask Dr. Natale to check for possible flutter problems he will. I'm having an ablation(PVI) done by him next week, and just today I talked with the nurse there to confirm that he would do that. Maybe it is because I have already had a flutter ablation & it has been established that I might have problems. Dr. Wharton at MUSC will do a flutter ablation along wby Jim W. - AFIBBERS FORUM