I've been interested in this for quite a while. There was a poster a number of years back who'd had an early long episode followed by years of good control (similar to my story). Then his control diminished. All the EP's local to him told him all he'd need was a simple PVAI. He contacted the group in Bordeaux and they said the early long episode (some months) meant he'by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I checked CCF (Pinski and company) several months ago and they only do 10 VT ablations a year split about evenly between the 3 EP's. I did not check central Florida hospital and they are probably worth checking If I have to take a guess, I think Berman at Augusta would be the highest volume EP in your region. If I was on the east coast and it was my heart, I would go with Upenn or Stevensby researcher - AFIBBERS FORUM
Welcome Luis, I strongly second the recommendation for Dr. Sergio Pinski, he is very bright and very well trained and is an experienced ablationist. Shannonby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good to hear Jim, Dr Pinski is a very experience EP indeed and you made a good choice. Glad to hear things are going well and keep us posted. Cheers! Shannonby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Jim ~ thanks for your good news report. I'm so pleased you were able to see Dr. Pinski. Congratulations. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi All, Had an ablation with Dr. Pinski at CC Florida last Feb. I was in permanent a fib for 2 months prior to the procedure.All went well for 3 weeks and then I got atrial tach. Went back to CC and put on tikosyn. Stayed on tik until October. After seeing Dr Pinski in October we stopped the tik and stayed simply on Eloquis. I had no breakthroughs while on tikosyn. I have been in nsr since goinby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Jim - I agree with George that if you absolutely can't determine when you are in arrhythmia, some type of reliable monitoring device is very useful. I always know and don't have a device, but wanted to comment that sometimes if you have brief rounds of a-flutter rather than a-fib, it's often difficult to determine that you are actually out of rhythm as flutter can be quby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you George for the information and discount code. I think i'm going to get that ecg. I started the Pradaxa and atenolol for now. My CHADS2 score is 0 although my bp does spike above 140/90 sometimes when tense. I'm also making an appt with my EP, Dr. Pinski at Cleveland Clinic Fl asap. Was hoping to avoid more trips to Miami but the time has come again unfortunately. Maybe aby jimangie1973 - AFIBBERS FORUM
No personal experience with Dr. Pinski, but he's been recommended by folks on this forum. Good luck! /L Edited To Add: Please see the current thread on Florida Hospitals... just saw that now.by LarryG - AFIBBERS FORUM
Looking for a good EP option in Florida and I have one good one in Dr. Pinski. I appreciate anyone sharing your experience. Thanks, Tomby tdaley6150 - AFIBBERS FORUM
I second Jackie's recommendation of Dr. Pinski. Trained by Natale. I sent my cousin to him in 2007 for a successful ablation that is still holding. Cousin had nothing but praise for Pinski and his team.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great reports about Sergio Pinski, MD - Electrophysiologist, who has helped many afibbers here with successful ablations. Cleveland Clinic Florida CCF - Weston 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd Weston, FL 33331 (954) 659-5000 (Office) (954) 659-5292 (Fax) This is just one link... do a Google for his name.by Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Not a poster, but I referred my cousin in Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Dr. Pinski (trained under Natale at CC) at Cleveland Clinic Weston, FL in 2007. My action was taken after a local EP wanted to do only a flutter ablation and "see if that fixed the afib, too." I suggested a second opinion with Pinski was in order. Pinski ablated both the afib & the flutter & my cousin's beenby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, My experience has been just the opposite. Had an ablation with Dr. Pinski on 2/25/15. Resting heart rate remains 55-60.(Where it always as been) I am on tikosyn and 100mg of a BB. Been in NSR almost cotinuously. Had a bout of atrial tach. 3 weeks after the ablation, that is when I started the tikosyn. For the first 3 weeks I was on the BB and eliquis. Since Tikosyn all seems to be well. Wiby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Erika, I am 70 and made the decision because I had fallen into permanent afib. I was on rate control drugs for 3-4 years. I then started Flec and for 5-6 years was doing fairly well with afib, but I suffered with hand tremors. My local cardiologist switched me to rythmol and while I was away on a trip I slipped into permanent afib and was not able to be converted. After 2 months of permaneby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Glad you are doing well. I am a patient of Dr. Pinski - on Flecainide. Before the ablation, how long were you on meds? I am 72 years old and I am not sure if I should go for an ablation. Erikaby erika101 - AFIBBERS FORUM
JMcNasby, Glad you are doing well after 8 weeks. I hope things continue to improve for you. Glad the Tikosyn is helping you. Hopefully you will be able to toss it after your blanking period, along with the Eliquis. Thanks for the report. Keep us informed. Best wishes. Kenby kls5834 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim, I recall reading that the higher heart rates are associated with ablation around the vagus nerve. Since the vagus nerve is the "brake" on the autonomic system and when it is damaged, the heart rate increases. The HR would then decrease over time as healing happens. I'm guessing Dr. P did not see a need to ablate in this area. This could be a question for him at the tiby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi, Just a brief update on my ablation at CC in FL. 2/25/15. All appears to be going well at this time. Most days are completely uneventful, but on some days I have periods of ectopics. I have been on Tikosyn for about 5 weeks. 3 weeks after the ablation I developed atrial tach and needed to be cardioverted and placed on Tik. For the first 3 weeks just on toprol and eliquis. So far no issby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi all, I have the same feelings as Nick. I had an ablation with Dr. Pinski at the CC in FL, 2 months ago. I had seen him off and on for more than a decade before deciding on an ablation. I wish I could have( I tried) adjusted my lifestyle to avoid the procedure. I am 70, not overweight, no high BP, exercise 4-5 hours a week, do not drink at all, eat very little meat but lots a fish...yet afiby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have lived in Florida for 13 yrs and Dr. Pinski has been on my radar for that period of time.. I have been over parts of the USA during my past 2 ablations.... Johns Hopkins and Oklahoma to see Dr. Sonny Jackman. 1 month ago I decided to make a trip to interview (3 ½ from The Villages, Fla.) Dr Pinski.... Well needless to say it went terrific and he even had my pacemaker read and chanby S. Doug L. - AFIBBERS FORUM
Had an ablation at CC in Weston, FL on Wednesday Feb. 25 with Dr. Pinski. I had been in permanent afib for about 2 months (started Jan.3) after many years of paroxysmal...about 10. Procedure lasted 5 hours and I have been in NSR since. No pain or complications so far. My only discomfort, and it is relatively mild, is a "tickle" in my throat that give me an occasional cough. I am on toprby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
My best friend from childhood has an ablation with Dr. Natale on Thursday. When he told me of his situation, I insisted he get an opinion from Natale. He lives about 3 hours away. In '07, my cousin, living in Florida, was told by a local EP to do an atrial flutter ablation and see if that "cured" his afib. I knew the odds of that working were about 5% and insisted he get a seby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim, glad to hear that all went well....and its good to know there is a good EP in South Florida....hope to spend my winters there when I retire.by TomC - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Jim - thanks for posting your good news. Glad you are doing well and feeling great. I can appreciate how much better you feel. Some years back, Marian of Miami and Bob G were posting very positive reports about their successful ablations with Dr. Pinski so I'm pleased that you also have had a good experience as well many years later. Treat your heart kindly during the recovery perby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for the report Jim, and I'm glad to hear Dr Pinkski has recovered from his arm injury of last year enough to resume doing ablations. Dr Natale thinks highly of him as well as one of his former protégés from the Cleveland Clinic days. Keep us posted on your progress and take it easy as you get back in the swing. Very good too you got in early after slipping into persistent AFIB.by Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
To Larry G, I live in SWFL as well...Naples. Easy ride over to CC on 75. Took me about 1:40 of reasonable driving. If I can offer any help , do not hesitate to contact me. Jimby jmcnasby - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for sharing, J. Particularly signifcant to me as I'm about 90 minutes away in SWFL. A few others on the board have spoken highly of Dr. P as well. Also, wasn't aware that CTs can now make the TEE -- certainly not an enjoyable procedure -- unnecessary. Best wishes for a successful recovery! /Lby LarryG - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jim, I referred my cousin to Dr. P in 2007. He'd gone to a local EP who wanted to do a flutter ablation first & see if it fixed his afib. I insisted my cousin get a second opinion from Dr. P. Dr. P. said no way - needed to do both an afib & atrial flutter ablation. Cousin had Dr. P do it and has been in NSR since. Cousin had many nice things to say about Dr. P (for those whoby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great news, Jim. Keep up the NSR! Kenby kls5834 - AFIBBERS FORUM