A "Top 50" List

I recently was diagnosed with paroxysmal A-fib (I'm out of NSR about 60% of the time).

This is my second experience with A-Fib. In 2004, I underwent a successful (until now) ablation by Dr. John Marcus Wharton at MUSC, which bought me nearly 11 years freedom from arrhythmia.

On that occasion I remember a list being shared around, perhaps compiled by Hans Larsen, of the "top 50" sources of treatment for arrhythmias, especially by ablation, in the world.

Now that I expect I will be seeking another ablation, is there any such "list" being shared now by the community of sufferers like me? I certainly have remained aware of the ever-ascending reputation of Dr. Andrea Natale. But I want to consider other sources, such as the Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, which is a short air flight from my home in Idaho.

But back to "The List". Is anyone aware of such a thing now?

My name is Jim.

Not what you asked for, but if it were me, I'd choose the not much longer flight to San Francisco & get ablated by Natale there. My best friend from childhood just got ablated by Dr. N today, at my insistance. If I had a choice, I'd take him over anybody else. My buddy just texted me from his 6 hour "still" position, "Wow that's amazing. This whole crew is absolutely amazing!"

George

Thank you, George. Your comment provides a strong incentive for me to go to the Bay Area for treatment by Dr. Natale. I will give this serious consideration. I'm wondering how long is the average wait time for an appointment (just for the initial consultation).

Of course, I could just call his scheduler and find out when I could see him.

Shannon can give you more specific info. Here is the general info: <[www.cpmc.org] Reading John's recent post <[www.afibbers.org] indicates he was able to have a consult the day before his ablation.

Hi jpearre,

Please let me chime in here. I just had my ablation with Dr. Natale on February 26th. I believe I am "done".
With all the hype out there and virtually every ablation center and ablation doctor claiming that they are the "best", it is very hard to know the real truth about long term outcomes from all these docs and centers.

Part of the truth is that there is no other center that does the level of research that Dr. Natale's group does. No other doctor does the level of writing, research, teaching and presenting at conferences that Dr. Natale does. The sad truth is that of all the docs doing afib ablations perhaps only 5% are truly in the "top tier". And how exactly do you determine if the doc or center you are considering is truly in this top tier? Do you believe the videos they put out? Do you believe the massive advertising that is done in all the different forms of media out there?

I fell for it and went to a self described "expert" at ablating persistent afib in Sarasota FL. Oh yes, he had studied with Haissaguere in France....for 6 months! He said he had done 1000 ablations, no way to verify that. His "institute" in Sarasota consisted of a receptionist and an office manager.
Of course, unfortunately I went for it. It was more "convenient" for me as I am a Florida resident.
Well, 2 ablations later I was still having afib breakthroughs.

After Dr. Natale ablated me on Feb.26th, I was informed that this Sarasota ep had not even successfully isolated my pulmonary veins after 2 ablations. This is nowhere near "top tier" work. And I count myself lucky that I was not seriously hurt by this doctor.

If you can arrange to see the "best", why not see him and be "done". As I mentioned in an earlier post, if it is simply not possible for you to see Dr. Natale, Shannon can provide (through his prodigious research skills) a list of top tier physicians who have the necessary skills, that may be near to you.

Yes, you may have to wait a couple of months, but the way it is done now, you have your consultation one day and the next the ablation is done.
Or, would you like the "convenience" of seeing a doctor who says "how's this coming Tuesday", with no way of truly knowing his level of skill, knowledge, complication rate or success rate.

Sorry for the long message. See Dr. Natale.

JohnB

Thank you so much, John, for your detailed and convincing post. I am becoming convinced I should try for Dr. Natale. I was trending toward Dr. Jered Bunch at the Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City because he has been a principle author of some large and respected studies of the outcome of ablation, involving multiple centers. But the San Francisco Bay Area is not much farther to travel, and, after all, last time I traveled all the way to South Carolina four times (one ablation and 3 consults) to be treated by Dr. John Wharton, who actually helped train Dr. Natale when they both were at Duke University.

Any way, I will be checking with Dr. Natale's office soon.

Again, my thanks to you, John, and George and Shannon and the community of caring people who keep this organization going in such a wonderful way.

I had my Natale ablation on 1/27/15. Like John, I considered having a local practitioner perform the procedure but I was lucky enough to find this website and the wonderful, caring and compassionate people who guided me to Dr. Natale. I am well pleased with my results. Yes, it was an inconvenience---I drove from Florida to Austin, TX, and back---but a small price to pay when you can be treated by the absolute best.

I don't think you can get any better example that what was articulated by John B. above. When you have a proven practitioner like Natale, why take the risk anywhere else?

Best wishes in your selection and getting it done quickly!

Sincerely,
Ken

I went to a conference today to hear Dr Natale and Luigi Di Biase who chaired the event speak along with a host of other doctors or EP's. During the Q&A I was amazed to hear that some clueless EP's still believe less is more and trying different variations of FIRM which never took off the way it was hyped. It was a bit testy when Andreas and Lugi jumped in to counter the rotor or less approach. Later I actually confronted or respectfully told him I wouldn't trade my Natale ablation for anything and almost cancelled waiting for FIRM to pan out. I told him is it better to come back for 2 or 3 ablutions or just create a few extra lesions where merited in a more persistent paroxysmal case like mine. AFIB free almost 2 years now. Can only imagine if I went to this EP and cancelled with Natale where Id be now.

McHale



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2015 06:38AM by McHale.

Thanks, McHale. I plan to phone Dr. Natale's office today (Monday, March 9).