Atrial Flutter Ablation

Got home yesterday from Austin after my “touch up” ablation on Tuesday for atrial flutter with Natale. All I can say is WOW!!!!

First, thanks to Shannon for expediting my case.

The TCAI now has its own facility at St. Davids hospital (about four years old). My entire experience from the initial contact, to pre-procedure instructions, providing information for accommodations, the actual admission and prep process at the TCAI, the explanation and orientation in the EP lab, to the recovery was amazing. The people at TCAI are incredible. My nurse yesterday worked there 14 years ago when I had my initial ablation. In my conversation with Kim (nurse practitioner) learned that TCAI performs 1500 atrial ablation cases alone per year. In 2010 when I had my first ablation, they had two EP labs……now six.

I have not gotten a copy of the operative report yet so do not know specific details, but Natale told my wife that there were three places that needed to be ablated. Since this was my second ablation, he closed the LAA (was not aware this was a likely until the procedure). I will return in 3-4 months to have a Watchman. He told me in the initial meeting that I would get a Watchman but he does not like to do both the ablation and the Watchman at the same procedure. I will be required to take anti-coagulants until that time.

There was only one negative……I was the last case and had an arrival time of 11:30. No food or coffee!!!!

Steve
Klein, Tx.

Congratulations! Glad all went well. The only thing I'm perplexed on is how your LAA was 'closed' via an ablation? Can you explain how this was done? I guess I need to read A LOT more than I already do on this site... Lol. I'm also confused to how you would need a watchman if your laa is already closed.

I had a robotic procedure for my mitral valve which also included suturing/closing the LAA. Because my laa is closed there is no need for a watchman or any other device. I'm curious as to how your laa was closed and if closed why would you need a watchman at all at any time?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2025 11:25PM by cornerbax.

Quote
cornerbax
The only thing I'm perplexed on is now your
LAA was 'closed' via an ablation? Can you
Explain how this was done? I guess I mess to read
A LOT more than I already do on this site... Lol. I'm also confused to how you would need a watchman if your laa is already closed.

I had a robotic procedure for my mitral valve which also included suturing/closing the LAA. Because my laa is closed there is no need for a watchman or any other device. I'm curious as to how your laa was closed and if closed why would you need a watchman at all at any time?

I'm guessing Steve's wife may have misremembered what Dr. Natale told her. The proper term would be LAA isolation. This does not close the LAA and can slow blood movement in the LAA, hence the need for a Watchman.

George.....you are correct. It was my bad in choice of terms. Don't know why I said closed. It was explained to me in the pre-op meeting that the LAA would be isolated since this was my second ablation.

Steve

Awesome news, Steve! Really glad to hear it.