Hello, I was diagnosed with AFIB in September2025. Although the medications are working: Bisopropol and Flecadine , I am considering ablation.
I am located in the Toronto ( Canada) area . And does anyone have a recommendation for an oblationist in my area that has done thousands like Dr. Natale from one of the posts.

My EP in Victoria, BC, is excellent, but his reviews, the few I could find, maybe 15 in all, were somewhat negative. He received the Canadian Cardiology Association's prize in 2002 as the top candidate. He is brusque, matter of fact, busy, and pretty darned good. Maybe you could look for EP reviews where people complained he didn't send them a Christmas card or hold their hand for an hour bedside. Then, grab that person.

Okay, that's a bit facetious, but it's all factual. Maybe make some inquiries by cold calls to cardiology clinics and see if one or two names come up more often than others? I don't know if that approach has merit, or will even elicit a single name, but you have nothing to lose. Does your GP have his/her ear to the ground on that sorta stuff? Maybe that person knows of a couple of highly successful EPs.

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gloaming
My EP in Victoria, BC, is excellent, but his reviews, the few I could find, maybe 15 in all, were somewhat negative. He received the Canadian Cardiology Association's prize in 2002 as the top candidate. He is brusque, matter of fact, busy, and pretty darned good.

I highlighted the explanation for his poor reviews. (But you knew that.)

Doctor review sites are just popularity contests where bedside manner is the only measure that matters. I've seen many examples of great doctors getting crap reviews and crap doctors getting great reviews, so I place no value on such sites.

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Carlorea
And does anyone have a recommendation for an oblationist in my area that has done thousands like Dr. Natale from one of the posts.

My "two cents" worth. Rather than look for someone who is as good and as experienced as Natale.......opt for Natale!!

I had a second ablation (flutter ablation) in March, followed by a Watchman installation and two TEE's last year. I live in Klein, Tx (Houston area), so was able to drive to Austin (2+ hour drive).....but all procedures required over-night stays. St Davids Hospital has discount rates with several hotels that are only a 15-20 minute drive from hotel to the lobby of the TCAI. Interestingly, we stay at The Drury Hotel, and have met other people at the hotel happy hour who were in Austin for Natale procedures. My EP cardiologist here and Natale are welll acquainted, and could have had the TEE's done my him.....however opted to go to the TCAI.

I understand that airtravel and rental car expenses are significant, however my experience with Natale and the entire TCAI procedure is "off scale". The professionalism, the expertise and the level of care are worth the expense.


Steve
Klein, Tx

I see those sites as kvetching opportunities for people who feel they weren't given or told what they wanted. Meanwhile, the physician is still credentialled, working at a prestigious and busy hospital, and has no public proscriptions or censure for the way they treat their patients.

Thanks Klein , but unfortunately Dr. Natale has returned to Italy offering the procedure at an hospital in Rome.

Carlorea: Can you give more details on "Dr. Natale has returned to Italy"? I called to schedule an appointment with him in November, and was told he would not be able to see me until January. I was OK with that, but have heard nothing since. Others on here told me to be patient. Am I waiting for something that is not going to happen?

Natale travels the entire world all the time training other EPs. I don't know why he's in Italy, and it might be personal reasons, but I guarantee he's not leaving the US permanently.

A couple of weeks ago I read that he operated on an Italian soccer manager ( Maurizio Sarri ) at the Policlinico Tor Vergata in Roma. I am making the assumption that he has moved to work in Rome. Perhaps not.?

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Carlorea
A couple of weeks ago I read that he operated on an Italian soccer manager ( Maurizio Sarri ) at the Policlinico Tor Vergata in Roma. I am making the assumption that he has moved to work in Rome. Perhaps not.?

TCAI, in Austin, was built for him, to his specs. He runs it. It isn't like he's just another staff EP. A number of years ago, I suggested a friend's husband go to Natale, as the husband had been to 3 EP's, including 2 at the local medical school & was given what I thought was poor advice (we live a few states away in the US). When they got to St. David's, a volunteer docent greeted them and asked where they were from. When they named the state, the docent said, you must be here to see that Italian doctor, people come from all over the world to see him.

As I said before, Natale flies all over the world regularly to train other EPs. That training usually involves doing an actual ablation. This time it was a soccer manager in Rome. But I'm 100% confident he has not moved back to Italy and will be back in Austin soon enough.

My TEE was on Decemberf 19.......in my conversation with Natale he told me to see him in six months.

s