I was also persistent (or “permanent”). I think “one and done” is actually pretty rare. Hard to find any stats on it, though. I’d say since your had a full year of NSR after only 1 procedure, you’re still in a pretty good position. Hopefully a touch up will get you in NSR for even longer. I’ve had 4 Natale ablations (5 total), I am unfortunately a hard case. But I’ve been in NSR for aby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, is first degree heart block a big issue? Anything to worry about or do? (See ekg below). Thanks! Ekgby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello all, I had a Watchman installed by Dr. Natale 15 months ago. I had TEEs at 6 weeks, 6 months and and 14 months. They all said the same thing, never changed. My last one from a few weeks ago said: Interpretation Summary 1. Watchman left atrial appendage occluder device well-seated. 2. Trace leak is redemonstrated similar to previous (< 3mm). 3. Iatrogenic ASD is seen witby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had the Watchman installed 14 months ago. At the 6 week TEE it showed a “leak <3 mm,” and also the trans septal puncture hole had not healed. Same at 6 month TEE and 14 month TEE. I’m a bit concerned about both issues. Edit: this is what it says “ EXAM/PROCEDURE A 2D transesophageal echocardiogram with Doppler and color flow Doppler was performed. 3D images performed. The prby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. I’m struggling with some Watchman issues, so that was interesting.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I’ve PM’d you. But in summary in the past 5-6 years and continuing follow up to today, I had 1 Natale ablation in Austin, followed by 3 more at Scripps, in addition to a Watchman at Scripps. My Aunt has had 3 ablations and a Watchman at Scripps during the same time. It has literally been flawless and we can’t recommend Scripps and the people there highly enough. To me personally, it’s thby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I’ve had multiple Natale ablations and various follow ups (TEEs, Watchman, etc) at Scripps over the past few years. I have had nothing but 100% positive experiences at Scripps. It’s a great facility filled with great people. I highly recommend it.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I’m highly skeptical that 70% of afib cases in the US are resolved after one ablation. At least if “resolved” means afib free for a year or more.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
And we are also very grateful for Shannon, who is another amazing person who has touched so many lives, and helped so many people in profound ways.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
It can be a very difficult beast to contain. I’ve had 5 ablations, the last 4 done by Dr. Natale. In a nutshell, I’d say the first one (done at the world famous Cedars Sinai in LA) was a complete waste of time. It was a cryo index ablation, it accomplished nothing and had a zero percent chance of success. My first Natale one was very long, a lot of burning. My second was a fair amount more.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey They don't generally do anything about a 3mm leak. If they want to fix it, they insert a small vascular plug in the leak. And an ASD with no left-to-right shunt doesn't need treatment either. I have one of those, too. You said an ASD with NO left to right shunt doesn’t need treatment. My report (which I cut and pasted the quote from to be sure it is accurate) says Iby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I unfortunately have a leak. Was seen on my first TEE and unchanged on my second, six month TEE. “There is trace leak (< 3mm) of the Watchman device unchanged from the prior exam.There is a small thrombus visualized inside of the appendage.” Also “Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect with left to right shunt is present.“ which is also apparently a rare occurrence? I guess I’m good at tby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Carey, I also have a Watchman, I’ll be having my 6 month TEE soon. I have the same question in my mind regarding Eliquis. I agree with your reasoning, except it presumes that Eliquis has no downsides. What about, for example, possible increased risk of brain bleeds, esp. in older patients? (Or other bleeds)? Although Eliquis is a big improvement over prior thinners/anti-coags, I’d think itby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteAB Page From personal experience, find your A team first. For me, it's Natale. Then pick your B team for local, and make sure he/she is genuine in respecting that only the A team does procedures, and is willing to participate in your care, and will communicate with TCAI as needed. . Agree 100%.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
My local EP, who I’d seen before, refused to do a CV because another EP (Dr Natale) did my ablation. My (now former) primary family doctor, who I had seen for years, even refused to let his office do a simple EKG to send to Dr Natale.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, This is just my personal experience, so take it for what it’s worth. When I was first diagnosed with afib I had no idea what that meant. Long story short, I took the advice of an EP at a “world famous” hospital and had a cryo ablation done. Turns out, for me it was a total waste of time, for the reasons Pompom mentioned above. (If your afib is originating anywhere other than around the puby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Carey, I went back and looked at my procedure reports online. Although I could only see them going back to 2019, they did not reference my LAA being ablated more than once. So I think I am wrong. I did have ablations before 2019, but I’m not sure exactly what areas were ablated, so I don’t want to guess and possibly put erroneous info out there. Sorry about that! Please ignore my post.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
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QuoteCarey Is that concerning? I haven’t heard from Natale yet. But they did schedule me for an echocardiogram next week, which seems unusual. It's under 5 mm so I don't think it's concerning, but it's something they'll want to watch, which is probably why they're doing another echo. They probably want to verify the previous echo. What they'll hope for isby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my 45 day TEE last week. The report said “ Watchman left atrial appendage occluder device implanted, well seated. The Watchman device has a prominent shoulder along the Mitral annulus. There is a trace leak <3mm. No thrombus seen.” Is that concerning? I haven’t heard from Natale yet. But they did schedule me for an echocardiogram next week, which seems unusual.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Availability “in the next few years” certainly is very different than what I’ve been told so far. I’ve been led to believe that I’d be able to qualify for the FLX as soon as it was approved. I hope that’s really the case.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteNotLyingAboutMyAfib I've seen AN post on Twitter that BCBSTX won't approve current Watchman. That’s a little troubling for those of us who had our LAAs ablated based on the Watchman being available.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Approved by the FDA yesterday. My understanding is for insurance it requires a CHADS Score of 2, instead of 3 like the old one. I hope that’s true. FLX approvedby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Looks like the FLX was approved by the FDA today FDA FLX approvalby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Here's a question. Regardless of which procedure you choose, if you're having open heart surgery, can/should the LAA be removed or sewn shut while they're in there? I know I'd want that.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the update, it's very interesting. Hopefully everything resolves for you!by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Just be sure your insurance covers LAA closure (with Watchman or anything else). It seems many don't. Example: "The use of percutaneous left-atrial appendage closure devices for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation does not meet Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s criteria for coverage and is considered investigational." Aetna: "Aetna considersby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks all! So, Mike, how did yours go? What was the result? Fibrillator, how was your result? AB Page, congrats! I know what a relief that must be. Hoping to join the NSR club soon. On the CPAP machine, I did a test night for fitting and had no problem sleeping. It felt like I got a great nights skeep. I'm actually looking forward to getting the machine this week.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks Shannon! I appreciate the encouragement. I'm confident it's the right path, but am starting to get a little jittery as the date gets closer, flights and hotel are booked, etc.by Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM
Why is there so little talk about the Wolf Mini Maze procedure here? I've done a search on this forum and there is very little discussion about it. Dr. Wolf, who pioneered it, is in Houston and still doing them. I know the downside is it's more invasive, but his success rate seems very high, and another big advantage is the LAA problem seems to be permanently solved 100% of theby Mac - AFIBBERS FORUM