Megan, Where my mind goes is to experiment and find a formula that creates your arrhythmia on demand. I realize this would suck, but if you can figure out a formula that works, then you could be confident that you could create the arrhythmia for the time when you schedule your ablation. The second thought I have & this is on the other side -- making the arrhythmia not happen. How mucby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Follow his advice? Is your local EP willing to use high doses of isoproterenol? I would get that question answered first. Are you willing to tie one on the night before the procedure?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I finally had my Telehealth Consult with Natale and Shannon on Monday. Shannon did her homework and had looked over all my records. She was definitely in my corner with the quality of life issues with my arrhythmia. Natale gave me some very valuable advice with the meds, and basically told me that none of them are going to work for my rhythm if nothing has helped up to now. He said to not botherby MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
thanks Gloaming. I have tried Cardizem, Rhythmol, Multaq, Flecainide, Norpace, Metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotolol, Bisoprolol, Ivabradine... I think that is it. I had my consult with Natale. It was okay. He was very clear that probably none of the medications are going to work. He said I just need an ablation but that with my rhythm being so paroxysmal it is going to be super hard to catch and treby MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I forget it you had tried diltiazem, Megan. Propafenone, Multaq,...any of these in your history already? There is a surprisingly high number of other drugs used for arrhythmia and rate control. I'm continually amazed. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you with Natale.by gloaming - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks, Gloaming. I have pretty good tools at my disposal as an ER Nurse. Unfortunately, my heart seems to break through almost any beta blocker eventually. My SVT/Atrial Tachycardia has broken through Propranolol, Metoprolol, and Sotalol. So it is not a surprise to me that I would have to increase the dosage. My challenge is that the dose I need to stop the SVT makes me incapacitatingly dizzy.by MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm not on FB, but that platform uses Messenger. It's quite good and popular. So, so far it's Telehealth, which they ought to have provided at least a clarification over, or Zoom, or Messenger. Used to be Skype, if that still is a thing.by gloaming - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have a Telemed scheduled with Shannon to review a week long Vital Patch. When they called to schedule, I was asked if I wanted Dr. Natale or Shannon for the appt. I've developed a rapport with Shannon, so I went ahead and reserved time with her. It works for me just like Daisy said: a phone call from a staffer about an hour before the scheduled time to review current meds and I'm sureby AB Page - AFIBBERS FORUM
I can tell you how it worked for me--hopefully they are still doing it the same way. Someone called an hour or two before my appointment just to get some basic information by phone. Since I have an iPhone they said that my consult would be on FaceTime--they would need to make another arrangement if you don't have FaceTime. They can only give you an approximate time for your consult with Nataby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Have any of you done a Telehealth consult with Natale? I have mine on Monday and have received NO communication regarding how it works, if I need a special app., or how to actually get the call. They didn't request my records despite the releases being sent and I had to scramble to get stuff sent and barely got it all to them in time. My appointment is Monday at. 3pm and have no idea how itby MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotedocboss No response to my inquiry as of this date, but I shall make another attempt in a week or so. You will get a response much faster if you go directly to Dr. Natale's assistant: Norma Bazerghi RN, MSN, MBA Single Trip Procedure Coordinator for Andrea Natale M.D. Direct Line: 512-615-6205 Fax: 512-776-1978 Attn: Norma If you would like her email address, send me a privateby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Burkhardt is good but Natale is better. I would readily wait a month or two longer for Natale.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the information. I am scheduled for a cardioversion locally next week. We have family in Austin so travel is irrelevant if I desire to choose to pursue the Texas Arrhythmia Institute path. An acquaintance in Austin had an ablation and Watchman recently by Dr. Burkhardt at the Institute and was please with the procedure/protocol. Obviously it is far too soon to judge the results. Doesby docboss - AFIBBERS FORUM
I can't comment on the difference in treating "valvular Afib" and non-valvular. I'd guess that this is not a clear-cut distinction as many of us, including me, have had valve involvement that became an issue somewhere in our journey with Afib. It is possible that it is the effects of Tikosyn in particular that might be in question as you prepare for a TAVR--maybe someone elseby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Almost ready for my consult with Natale!! I have been taking the liquid Bisoprolol and enjoying heart rates in the 70s, which is pretty awesome. I am still in almost incessant Atrial Bigeminy with runs of SVT, but it is still an improvement. Hoping for the best.by MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteNoTrigger Carey - You mentioned success rates of 75 - 90% for elite EPs in the post above and I was wondering where you found these numbers. Mary This is a study published by Natale et al. in 2017. The list of authors reads like a Who's Who of the elite electrophysiology world. The study group was composed of people who had failed 2 or more previous ablations, so the study groupby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I met with Dr. Randall Wolf to discuss my options but for me his mini-maze seemed too invasive at my stage although he said he could offer me one if I wanted. i contacted offices of both Dr. Wolf and Dr. Natale in December. I had my first appointment with Dr.Natale January 29, and Dr. wolf the middle of Feb. I had pulse field with Dr. Natale on April 9 and so I didn't have to wait long andby Fuzzyduck - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotedocboss Unfortunately, the local facility performing ablations is unavailable for three months. Hence my interest in alternative locations/treatment. I contacted the Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute for a consultation with Dr. Natale's group. Unfortunately the best EPs performing ablations will have significant wait times--in fact, if they don't you probably don't want to go tby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
After my a-fib diagnosis four years ago and subsequent treatment with dofetilide, my relapses requiring cardioversion have gone from two years to six months, to five, to three then one. I have identified most of my triggers but it is clear things are deteriorating in spite of my best efforts. My EP says it may be time for my first ablation. Unfortunately, the local facility performing ablationsby docboss - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegreyhoundgal I remember Natale telling me at the 6 month checkup after the ablation that if I kept a healthy lifestyle I shouldn't need a touchup but said that when I get into my. 80's if I need another touchup to just give him a call. So it sounds like he is okay doing touchups on patients in their 80's? I wondered about that as, though I had my index ablation with him wheby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Gloaming for the information. I never thought of it that way. I have never bothered taking my heart rate reading while exercising or walking briskly/jogging as every year I do so well on my stress echo tests. I walk a greyhound at a very fast pace twice a day without fail, rain or shine. The is my 5th greyhound and can't remember ever living without one. My greyhound and magnesiuby greyhoundgal - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegreyhoundgal Had a successful cardiac ablation in 2017 with Natale. Wow nice, 7 years afib free!by Yuxi - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am 77 years old and weigh 103 lbs and have a horrible chest cold. 2nd day. I have been drinking hot water and steaming my face to break up the mucus. It has been working somewhat. I hate to take over the counter meds and was concerned that Mucinex might raise my heart rate. Do you think that it would be safe for me to take? It is the 12 hour extended release Mucinex pills that contain guaby greyhoundgal - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. Ivabradine is now a bust as well. Literally NO change in the SVT or tachycardia. I doubled the dose per the doctor and spent all day today down flat for horrible debilitating dizziness and headache. Running our of medication options. Took a sleeping pill last night and still didn't sleep. This entire week has been a wash. Next week will try compounding my own dose of Bisoprolol.by MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am so glad this information was posted. I have been on diltiazem and Eliquis for years! I have a telehealth visit with Dr. Natale in May and will certainly be asking him about this!!by Pixie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just had a touchup ablation and the Watchman implanted this past Thursday, Natale came in later to speak with me and was was focused on the monitor with my frequent PVC's.....he seemed concerned.....I've had bouts with these over the last 8 years. I just started taking Taurine and Arginine and just saw this thread, remembering that might have worked in the past. I hope I don'tby McHale - AFIBBERS FORUM
I just had the PFA with Dr,Natale on Tuesday. I have been in NSR since November but have had lots of other arrhythmias since then. I asked him if I had afib whilst having the ablation and he said for a very short amount of time. So I conclude that they must have induced it whilst under, at least that is what I was told prior to the ablation.Also looking at the list of meds given through iv suby Fuzzyduck - AFIBBERS FORUM
It's wonderful to see that you are heard, Megan, and the gentleman sounds like he's a winner. No ego running before him in his mission of service. He's willing to collaborate with Natale and be his aid in YOUR recovery. He's the consummate professional, and as I already characterized him, a true gentleman. Now, we pray for advancements and improvements for you.by gloaming - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good EP you've got there. Go see Natale but keep him involved.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I met with my regular EP today. It was REALLY good and informative. We talked a long time. He said that looking at my ECG, he suspects that the PACs and SVT are coming from the left atrium. He said that it is a 'disease' of the ion channels and that they are designed to pass calcium, potassium, sodium through to allow a charge or not, and the channel becomes problematic and allows a chby MeganMN - AFIBBERS FORUM