Convergent Ablations Does Natalie do convergent ablations? I guess they don't use radiation in the procedure. Anyway I read about this a few years ago and wonder if this procedure is still being done. My doctor is retiring and I have to find a new doc., they will help me and asked if I would want a Cardio or an EP the problem is that would be with U of M Michigan Hospital which is about an hours drive for me. I would like someone locally, they do have cardios and EPs at a hospital not too far from me. I am undecided as which way to go, would the U of M hospitals docs be better than my local cardios. https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181002#msg-181002 Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:35:03 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,182895#msg-182895 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,182895#msg-182895
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Faith v.
Can you suggest reading material which can in layman’s terms explain all the different radiation types and which amounts are dangerous?

I don't have any good references offhand, but what's known as "ionizing radiation" is the only type that's dangerous. Like most things, dosage is the difference between safe and dangerous, and none of the dosages you'll receive in normal medical care are anywhere near dangerous levels. They're generally thousands of times short of dangerous levels. Simply taking an airline flight will expose you to more radiation than a chest x-ray. And no, it's not from the plane -- it's from the sun and being at higher altitudes where there's less atmosphere to filter out the sun's radiation..]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:48:36 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,182888#msg-182888 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,182888#msg-182888 Faith v. AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 21 Oct 2021 01:09:12 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181021#msg-181021 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181021#msg-181021
And keep in mind that the older you are, the less radiation matters because the harm it causes generally takes decades to appear. If you're in your 70s or older, it's unlikely any radiation you receive via x-rays, fluoroscopy, CT scans, flying on airplanes, etc. is going to produce any harm during your lifetime. It's the youngsters who need to be careful about minimizing radiation.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 04 Jun 2021 04:17:28 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181020#msg-181020 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181020#msg-181020
The hospital that has a couple of EPs locally were talking about doing a Convergent Ablation on You Tube, that was a few years ago, don't know if they are still doing ablations that way, they said they do not use radiation. I will do some checking on an EP locally.

L]]> Elizabeth AFIBBERS FORUM Fri, 04 Jun 2021 02:39:21 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181007#msg-181007 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181007#msg-181007
As for convergent ablations, they're like George said: a combination Maze procedure and catheter ablation. They do use radiation because they use fluoroscopy during the ablation. It's not a procedure I would choose or recommend simply because it's much more invasive, has a much longer recovery time, and comes with more than twice the risk, yet it's not superior to catheter ablation performed by an experienced EP.]]> Carey AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 03 Jun 2021 22:03:26 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181006#msg-181006 Re: Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181006#msg-181006
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Elizabeth
Does Natalie do convergent ablations? I guess they don't use radiation in the procedure. Anyway I read about this a few years ago and wonder if this procedure is still being done.

Liz,

My understanding is that a convergent ablation is the combination of a mini-maze (a surgeon goes in through the chest and creates external lines on the heart) and a conventional catheter ablation. My recollection of what was reported by Shannon here is that a conventional Natale catheter ablation has a higher success rate than the convergent ones.]]> GeorgeN AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 03 Jun 2021 20:48:42 +0000 https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181002#msg-181002 Convergent Ablations https://www.afibbers.org/forum/read.php?9,181002,181002#msg-181002
My doctor is retiring and I have to find a new doc., they will help me and asked if I would want a Cardio or an EP the problem is that would be with U of M Michigan Hospital which is about an hours drive for me. I would like someone locally, they do have cardios and EPs at a hospital not too far from me. I am undecided as which way to go, would the U of M hospitals docs be better than my local cardios.]]> Elizabeth AFIBBERS FORUM Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:26:36 +0000