I will have a 'report' for everybody Friday evening, March 29th as to my meeting with Dr. Peykar in Sarasota.by JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
You are doing the right thing. It appears your decision to have an ablation has been made and that is now behind you. The next step is for you to 'interview' the EP's and trust me, you will know once you have met with each of them. It is a gut feeling and not be cliche', go 'with your heart' as to who you will have do the procedure. Do keep us informed.by beneyw - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been researching other EPs in Florida. In "Beat Your A-Fib" website by the author Steve Ryan he has a list of EPs in each state. Well, I was very impressed by one of the young "rock stars" of ablations here in Florida. His name is Sidney Peykar and he practices at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Heart and Vascular Clinic. Look it up, you can see a video of Dr.by JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am coming up on the 5th anniversary of my 2nd ablation (first was in 2007) with Dr. Pinski. To sum it up, have been NSR since 2008 and as matter of fact have a regular check-up with him in April. I am bradycardic but asymptomatic and he checks me out annually. Like so many others on here, I cannot say enough positive things about him and his expertise. He is a true professional and all of hiby beneyw - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is good news Gill. We certainly need some real breakthroughs. Is it possible to link to the proceedings of the Boston Symposium to read the articles? I've printed this post of yours to show Dr. Pinski when I see him for the first time at the end of April. Thank you.by JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
Diane98683 Wrote: You said in one of your posts (I think it was on a different thread than this) that you were looking for a competent EP in Washington State. I don't know where in Washington State you live, but I know a couple of guys in Portland, OR, who I think are the best in the local area. I don't know how they compare with Natale Pinski though. Portland, OR is just over theby NoreenSmiles - AFIBBERS FORUM
Welcome to the site Noreen. You said in one of your posts (I think it was on a different thread than this) that you were looking for a competent EP in Washington State. I don't know where in Washington State you live, but I know a couple of guys in Portland, OR, who I think are the best in the local area. I don't know how they compare with Natale Pinski though. Portland, OR is juby Diane98683 - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, Five or six years ago, my cousin who lives in the Ft Lauderdale area was diagnosed with fib & flutter. The EP told him to just try a flutter ablation and it had a 95% chance of success and of curing the afib. I knew this was BS and strongly suggested he get a second opinion from Pinski. He did and was ablated by Pinski for both fib and flutter. He was very impressed by Pinski andby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
John B... you are making a very smart move with Dr. Pinski. You've undoubtedly read the many personal testimonials of those who are very happy with their results by his ablations. There was a Bob G some years ago that had multiple health issues along with AF and he was helped tremendously. People living in the Florida vacinity are very fortunate indeed to have access to Dr. Pinski. Iby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Dee, Weston is about 15 miles West of Fort Lauderdale, right up against the Everglades. It's about a 5-6 hour drive from Gainesville. I'm planning to do it all in one day, a very long day. Of course, if I receive treatment there at some point I will look for accomodations there to stay as long as necessary. Johnby JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dr. Pinski is at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. Hansby Hans Larsen - AFIBBERS FORUM
You are welcome John and best of luck on the journey! Its a good goal to be Pharma free and if you can do so great, but even if you still need one or two, with that goal you will keep the drugs to the very minimum that are in your best interest. Just keep in mind that in some situations, the right pharmaceutical is the best medicine, but that is not always true in many circumstances and whenby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Where is Dr Pinski located. I live near Ocala. flby Dee - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Shannon, Thank you for your very knowledgeable encouragement! As I catch up with the latest posts (I have not been reading much here for a few months) I've caught a few of your's and am very impressed by your knowledge and sincere desire to be helpful. I intend to immerse myself in the latest information that has come to us on nutrients, suppliments, and diet. I have a dream andby JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good choice John and welcome out from the lurking shadows , Dr Pinski will be fully able to guide you just fine and with the persistent AFIB, I wouldn't choose anyone other than someone of his calibre and experience so you are off to the right start with regard to considering a good ablation. You digested well the two central messages of Afibbers.com. 1. Putting yourself in the hands ofby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Noreen, Dr. Sergio Pinski is considered one of the "rock stars" of electrophysiology. He is right up there with the best in the world. He was trained by Dr. Andrea Natale, considered by many to be the best at achieving positive outcomes. Living in Washington State it might be possible for you to see Dr. Natale as he practices in San Francisco. It is the common opinion on thisby JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good Evening John I wish you well with your consultation I don't understand why you are having one although if you have been in NSR for the last 7 years??? How did you find this doctor?? I would love to see one here, in Washington state Noreenby NoreenSmiles - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello All. I have been mostly a lurker for years on this forum. I was first a paroxysmal afibber, then I went to persistent. At the time I didn't have the coverage to even see a cardiologist. Later I was able to see an electrophysiologist here in Gainesville, FL. After being persistent for about 3 years I was put on a loading dose of Amiodarone of 400 mg/day for a few weeks and then caby JohnB - AFIBBERS FORUM
Erika, If your episodes are self-terminating and you have never had an episode lasting 24 hours or longer then either Dr. Natale, Dr Pinski, Pr. Haissaguerre or Pr. Jais would be an excellent choice. However, if your episodes last longer than 24 hours or you have persistent or permanent AF (see FAQ's for details ) then I would go with either Dr. Natale or the Bordeaux group depending onby Hans Larsen - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gianfranco, Your story makes me want to get an ablation right now with Dr. Pinski. He sounds like a great doctor. I'm getting more and more concerned with the possible long-term side effects of Flecainide and am not sure how much longer I want to be on it. What's currently keeping me from wanting one is the fear that I'm going to feel like crap for a while afterwards. Of couby Diane98683 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Best of luck Gianfranco! I know you will do well with Dr. Pinski. Jimby mailman52 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gianfranco - I certainly wish you the best possible outcome. You've chosen a highly skilled and competent EP in Dr. Pinski so just try to relax and let him do his magic. You'll be enjoying NSR before you know it. Do let us know how you are. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good morning Forum, I have not been posting in awhile but kept reading various subjects. I finally decided for my ablation and it will be done at the Cleveland Clinic of Weston. FL. on January 30th. I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal LAF last August. I was placed on Rhythmol and Pradaxa. The Rhythmol did not help much and I have been experiencing almost daily afib episodes lasting betweeby gianfry59 - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was interested to see what Dr Pinksi said in the Cleveland Heart Q&A that was recently posted Chris M: 2. How many ablations a year should a competent EP perform? Dr. Pinski: There is no strict number. Once an EP is over the learning curve, a huge number of ablations are not required to maintain the skill. If the whole team, including lab staff, anesthesiologists and nurses are stableby afhound99 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi again Ellen, Here is the link to the 2008 Ablation/Maze survey that Hans compiled. 2008 Ablation Survey Note the the top three institutions were Cleveland Clinic,. California Pacific Med Center and Cleveland Clinic Weston Florida which is Dr. Sergio Pinski even though at the time of this survey Hans only had 7 of his ablations accounted for but with excellent results. Keep in mind thatby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Ellen, I recall some of your posts years ago. Sorry to hear you didn't have a good outcome from your first ablation. My suggestion is that you not let the technology be your priority but to focus your search on the very best and most experienced EP you can possibly arrange for yourself and trust in their skill in using the best cutting edge catheter technology and 3D Mapping systemsby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM
Edgar, Sorry to hear about your return to "arrhythmia land". Hopefully it was a one-off episode. The main difference between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is that afib presents with a rapid, irregular rhythm while flutter presents with a rapid but regular rhythm. Atrial flutter is most often originating from the right atrium and is relatively simple to ablate. However, soby Hans Larsen - AFIBBERS FORUM
Scott, Welcome to the Club! I would suggest that you start out by reading our FAQs which includes links to the 12-step plan for eliminating afib. You may also be interested in the research report on cardioversion . Finally if you need to consult with a good electrophysiologist or are considering an ablation I would recommend Dr. Sergio Pinski at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. Hansby Hans Larsen - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Mary, Back again ... The description of your flutter very much sounds like atypical left atrial flutter ... not the totally different and much easier typical right atrial flutter that Tom P and Gordon above reference. This type of flutter characteristically develops after an AFIB ablation. In the effort to ablate and end the AFIB the nature of the burn patterns and what they have to do tby Shannon - AFIBBERS FORUM