I second George's endorsement of Pinski.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for that info! I'll look into Dr. Pinski. It would be worth the drive. I'm also going to check with my insurance about seeing an out-of-state EP and if they will cover it. I don't recommend Mayo Jacksonville. I'm going there now and can't wait to find a different solution.by Amara - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteAmara I'm looking for an electrophysiologist in Florida. I live in Jacksonville, but willing to drive and possibly fly if my insurance will cover an out-of-state doc. Not sure yet. Not close by for regular visits, but for an ablation, I suggest Sergio Pinski at Cleveland Clinic Weston He trained under Dr. Natale. Years ago we had a number of people who drove quite long distancesby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I sympathize with your brothers. I've had 6 ablations, all of them by highly credentialed EPs at top medical centers. The first 5 were failures and the last was a resounding success. That was with Natale, as you might have guessed. Choosing is hard because what matters most isn't generally made public by EPs, and that's the number of ablations they've done and their overallby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
If you don't go to Natale and are in S Florida, I'd suggest Dr. Sergio Pinski at CC Weston. He trained with Natale years ago at CC. I referred my cousin and his wife to Pinski around 2009 and they loved him and had successful ablations with him. You also might try calling Dr. Natale's office. I'm sure someone here can give you the run down on connecting with Natale.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Geocappy....If Weston, Florida would be 'do-able'... consider Sergio Pinski, MD EP... Several afibbers have reported great results with Dr. Pinski in the past. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteGeocappy Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on whether I should consider another top doctor? Is there a Dr Natale- like doctor in Florida. A Florida Natle protege' is Sergio Pinski at Cleveland Clinic, Weston. I sent my cousin and his wife there for ablations around 2009 with good success. I live in Colorado and I'd fly to see Natale in Austin, if it were me. Iby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
George - Thanks for that Dr. Pinski reminder. I was corresponding with two afibbers in Florida back then and suggested they consult with him. They did and also proceeded with ablations. They were both extremely satisfied with the result. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
I too have recommended Pinski to a few friends in Fla. im a newly Natale ablation for atypical Flutter. My ep here in Charlotte actually told me to go to him following his failed attempt on 3/29. Natale s was 8/6 in Austin. Perfect nsr since but! My LAA isolated and that presents a new fork in the road. Either anticoagulant or the Watchman. Im waiting for my Watchman date with Dr Natale as thisby Poppino - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey We know they're out there because Natale spends a huge amount of his personal time and money training other EPs around the world. To Carey's point, I have a cousin that lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Around 2008 or 9, he was having flutter & afib. His local EP wanted to ablate his flutter and see if that fixed his afib. I knew in my cousin's case, the success probby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've been researching excellent EPs in Florida for my dad. (Dr Sergio Pinski is one that was recommended and is on the top of my research list. Thanks George!) Has anyone had any experiences with Dr. Sidney Peykar in Florida? On this site, , it says... QuoteDr. Sidney Peykar, MD, FHRS (Listed in Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2017, 2018, 2019) Details: Advanced strategies to cure Chby cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteWhen you say he's a "Natale protege'" can you tell me more about this? Does this mean that he trained directly under Dr Natale in Austin at TCAI? Or that he just uses some of his methods/techniques? Pinski trained under Natale when Natale was at the Cleveland Clinic, before Natale moved to Austin. QuoteAlso, can I ask if your cousin was long-standing, persistent? Oby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecirenepurzalot Thanks. I've never heard of a "durable ablation" but I'll do some research. So, he's an MD, not an EP? ! By durable ablation, I mean that the first ablation in 2008 or 9 has lasted till now and my cousin remains in NSR from that ablation, as opposed to those who've had failed ablations. Durable is the kind you want, IMO. From his bio:by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks. I've never heard of a "durable ablation" but I'll do some research. So, he's an MD, not an EP? I really appreciate your info! Thanks!by cirenepurzalot - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecirenepurzalot Question: Do any of you know any GREAT EPs in the Florida area that you can recommend? I know nobody is as awesome as Natale but he doesn't want to travel too much during COVID. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated. (By the way, I had a Natale ablation last year and it changed my life!) Sergio Pinski is at CC Weston and is a Natale protege'. I referred my cousby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
"Early rhythm control of atrial fibrillation was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular outcomes..." Been my approach for 16+ years - just my own protocol rather than standard of care. As an aside, I just got off a Zoom call with some cousins. 12 years ago, referred one cousin & his wife to Sergio Pinski, a Natale protegé at Cleveland Clinic Weston FL. They were botby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey I would definitely seek out one of his proteges. In 2008, I referred my cousin to one of Natale's early protégés, Sergio Pinski, at CC Weston, FL. My cousin lives in the area and was given bad advice, in my opinion, by an EP in the area. I insisted he go to Dr. Pinski for a second opinion. My cousin went with Pinksi for a still durable afib/aflutter ablation.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotebeneyw Been a few years since I last came to this page. I had my first ablation with Dr. Sergio Pinski in 2007, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL touch up in 2008 and in NSR since. I cannot say in words how pleasant life can be with no afib. By this time you should be post ablation. Hope all is well.. Hi Beney, I recall you posting about your Pinski (a Natale protegé) ablation. Glad you areby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Been a few years since I last came to this page. I had my first ablation with Dr. Sergio Pinski in 2007, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL touch up in 2008 and in NSR since. I cannot say in words how pleasant life can be with no afib. By this time you should be post ablation. Hope all is well..by beneyw - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDoloMiddleMo Random thought: Dr. Natale’s stock sure has gone up these past few years. . Interesting. I've been a member here since Aug, 2004. Natale's stock has always been very high, IMO. I am not an ablatee, but have referred many to him and his proteges. For example, I referred a cousin to Dr. Sergio Pinski at CC in Weston FL cousin is still doing well after the Pinski flby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi George, thanks for the Reply, yea, I think it was Dr Pinski ! They are teetering on the amiodarone, My parents hate going against MD orders, but I may be able to convince them to hold off.by John21 - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJohn21 He’s being referred to an ablattionist in Bradenton Florida. I remember that there was a great EP down there , but I forget his name. Also worried about the amiodarone. Hi John, You may be thinking of Dr. Sergio Pinski at Cleveland Clinic, Weston FL. I'd be worried about amio also. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I concur with Carey. I'd go to Natale. When I referred my cousin to Pinkski, I didn't think I could ever get him to go out of town to Natale. Pinski was a good option for him, and it worked out well. In years gone by there were a number of FL posters who loved Pinski. But as Carey said, Natle is the best.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Currently, I am contemplating whether or not to proceed with an ablation. Having been diagnosed under 2 years ago, I tried to go the natural route which does not seem to work for me. Episodes seem to be getting more frequent and as a result I just went on Eliquis. George, I noticed that you recommended Dr. Sergio Pinski at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. I live very close by to Weby whitehaven - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMFM It's disconcerting to read that most people are on their second or even third ablation. Because I had a 2.5 month episode at the beginning of my afib career 14 years ago, I would likely be considered a "complex" case. I would likely need two procedures, even from a top doc like Dr. Natale. I would likely need work on my LAA. This would give me a 60% probability of neeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Maybe you could call Dr. Pinski's office and ask what health insurances they take and then go from there?? I have no idea about qualifications in terms of pre-existing conditions, that is probably dependent upon the insurance coverage. As for being able to just have the insurance for a year in order to get the care you need (you may want to just consider going straight to Dr. Natalby SueChef - AFIBBERS FORUM
Have any of you purchased specific health insurance so that you could get an ablation from Dr Natale? If so, which kind? How much more is insurance with a pre existing condition such as afib? Could you just get insurance for a year or so just to get an ablation? Reason I ask is because i'm asking for a referral from the health dept for another heart dr. I've had 2 ablations and the drby Billyjeans - AFIBBERS FORUM
My suggestion would be to decrease your flec dosage gradually and see what happens. The Metoprolol is likely not keeping you in rhythm, but will mitigate the risk that flec could put you in atrial flutter. It is most likely the reason you feel tired. Once you've reduced the flec (you can do this with a pill cutter if you need to), then step the Metoprolol down. You may find there is aby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteElizabeth Billy: Would the Florida dept. of Health pay for another ablation? There is a Hospital in Florida that is part of the Cleveland Clinic, a few people have gone there for their ablations and did well. Dr. Natale, who is in Texas now and a famous doctor once was with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Cleveland Clinic Florida | Highest Ranked Hospital in ... Find out moreby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteRussellG The plan is for an ablation just for the flutter, followed by 3-4 weeks of anti-coagulant therapy. I suppose treating the A fib would be considered afterward. How do I find out how many procedures he's done? He is Dr. Ali Sovari out of Oxnard, California. Ten years ago, my cousin got same advice from EP in FL. I implored him to get a second opinion from a nearby Natale protby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM