Ablation and Valve replacement

[Espoe]

I am scheduled to have MVR in July. I have been in A-fib for many years (20-ish). My surgeon said this would be a good opportunity to do an ablation since I will already be opened up.

I have not been able to find much information about the success of these combined with valve replacement on someone that has been in A-fib as long as me. I am also assuming since it will be OH via sternotomy that it will be a Maze procedure.

Coincidentally, I recently was on a tour and sat next to a cardiologist from my area. We got on this topic and he told me that in cases like mine the success of ablation was tiny and he would be very concerned about "time on the pump." I am also concerned about the extra time I would be on the Heart Lung machine. I have enough memory problems now!

Information here would be most helpful as I have found it difficult to find info that matches my circumstances. If the ablation were unsuccessful will I have lost anything?

Thanks in advance, you all have been terrific!

 

[JeffM]

Eddie,

I don't know what impact a 20 year history of A-fib will have on the success of an ablation procedure or Maze. I had a partial Maze with my AVR and was told it resulted in an additional 30 minutes (give or take a couple). People who undergo Ross procedures, involving two valves are on the heart/lung substantially longer. Risk increases the longer one is one it but if the likely benefit is no more A-fib or reduced A-fib, that might be the way to go. There is potentially increased risk with A-fib of course and whether a Maze makes sense in your particular case will no doubt depend on how severe it has been and how much relief you can expect. I think the latest studies support Maze in cases of significant A-fib when a patient will be open and accessible anyway. I'd keep researching and get a few opinions from cardiologists as well as surgeons.

 

[Cooker]

Eddie,

I was not in constant a-fib but was in and out of it for about three years prior to my AVR and ablation ? I went back into a-fib once about two weeks post-op and have not been back in a-fib since, a little over three years ? as far as extended time on the pump I can not speak to ? I don?t know how much extra time was involved ? I seem to still have most of my wits about me ? Good luck.

 

[Espoe]

Thanks, I'll keep looking. Rigt now I am inclined to go for it!