Yes, John. Seun said the national FDA pulsed field ablation trials have been moved to late June or July.by californiagal - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecaliforniagal I changed my health insurance this year in order to have Dr. Natale do an ablation, which would be my first 'procedure'. Communications with his team in Austin have been great and I'm scheduled for 3rd wk in April, UNLESS his May trial for Pulsed Field Ablations will be for those who have FLUTTER, which I developed last summer. (Until then my afib was 'mild&by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've been debating bringing this up to the group, but I would appreciate the feedback, especially from Carey and Shannon, plus all the wise regulars on this forrum. But first, I want to wish you all kinds of well, Susan. May your new home bring you joy. I changed my health insurance this year in order to have Dr. Natale do an ablation, which would be my first 'procedure'. Communby californiagal - AFIBBERS FORUM
Many thnaks GeorgeN.by MarionGlenn - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMarionGlenn I am an expat American living/working in Egypt and the UAE, dealing with LAF. I am looking for a reputable and experienced PFA provider in Europe. I would be grateful for any leads. Thanks. For Europe, PFA or not, the EP I'd choose is Pierre Jais in Bordeaux, Fr. See:by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am an expat American living/working in Egypt and the UAE, dealing with LAF. I am looking for a reputable and experienced PFA provider in Europe. I would be grateful for any leads. Thanks.by MarionGlenn - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegloaming Still a way to go, and the improvements are not earth-shattering, at least not in any words anyone is willing to publish, but in a few months the tone may change.. My look at this from 30,000' is that the biggest benefit is lowering the risk of complications, especially with EPs who aren't at the elite skill level. From a "success" standpoint, I still think oby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for posting these links. I saw a similar report, another site, but it had a firewall after the fade-out part and an invitation to register. The news is encouraging, and I can see from the estimated numbers of sufferers in the USA alone that there's a growing market for this type of intervention. Still a way to go, and the improvements are not earth-shattering, at least not in any woby gloaming - AFIBBERS FORUM
As the approval seems to be getting closer, the medtechdive article review competitors of the technology. Interesting read.by sldabrowski - AFIBBERS FORUM
As a non-ablatee, but someone who has been on this board for over 18 years, here are my thoughts. My understanding is that balloon cryo only addresses PVI issues. Given that you had a Natale ablation, my hypothesis is that what you are experiencing is likely due to the progression of your illness, not a failure in Natale's earlier ablation. Hence I don't think that cryo will solveby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is a list of abbreviations commonly used on this forum and in the afib world in general. It's meant to be authoritative and reliable so it will be curated carefully. You can add an entry by just posting and telling us what the abbreviation is and what it means. If you think something suggested or something already here is wrong, reply and say why it's wrong. Once we've reaby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey In your opinion is there much of difference between choosing Dr. Natale vs. an EP like Dr. Chris Ellis (at Vandy)? Yes. The difference is good vs. the best. Now, the truth is in most cases "good" is perfectly adequate for an uncomplicated index ablation. It's the more complex cases where someone like Natale becomes vitally important. But starting off with the beby jdittrich - AFIBBERS FORUM
This is awesome advice Carey... thanks again for all your help. In your opinion is there much of difference between choosing Dr. Natale vs. an EP like Dr. Chris Ellis (at Vandy)? Dr. Natale is out of network for BCBS / Anthem (even though its a PPO). Total out of pocket costs would be $17K+. Which I'm fine paying if I knew it were a one-time shot. But I know there are no guarantees.by jdittrich - AFIBBERS FORUM
Does anyone have any recommendations for a top flight EP that performs ablations in the Atlanta area? Been diagnosed with lone AFIB. Currently taking Flecainide and Metoprolol to get me back into sinus rhythm, but still having episodes every few days. I guess I'm one of those that doesn't really notice when I'm in AFIB unless my heart rate gets high (it usually hangs in the 80by jdittrich - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dr. Natale isn't doing any more pulsed field ablations as part of the Admire trial. I was on the the list and scheduled back in November to fly to Austin. They called and cancelled 10 days prior.by jdittrich - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for all these posts, you guys. Gloaming, I appreciate your advice to simmer down-- that my symptoms, as worrisome as they've been to me, might not deserve such concern. :>) Along those lines, and noting that I'm usually pretty mellow overall, but today, when my flutter started up, I took a Puritan Pride product called 'Calm Tabs' (herbal blend with Valerian extracby californiagal - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecaliforniagal When I gently mentioned Dr. Natale, he said Natale's technique doesn't involve the ball but instead --certain localized burning of the tissue of the pulmonary vein. In other words, this local EP feels the ball technique is more comprehensive- a better solution. The ball (cryo) technique only addresses arrhythmias that are coming from around the pulmonary veins. Thaby Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDaisy while autonomic function may change <snip> it seems to be a modification rather than zapping the complete autonomic ganglia. Isn't that conflating the effect/message (ICNS modulation) with mechanism/messenger (ablation). The literature estimates 800+ cardiac ganglia each with between 2 and 1500 somata. After killing off 50, I'd imagine the ICNS function to be modby Kwilk - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, I had a pulsed field ablation in Austin, performed by Dr Natale in June. My personal experience so far has been amazing. The only discomfort I experienced was when I removed the bandages from the catheter groin insertions; this lasted a few days. No discomfort from the experience, no chest pain, no ectopic beats or afib episodes. I have resumed all physical activities, cycling, briskby SailorGuy1 - AFIBBERS FORUM
Weakness is definitely a symptom, so you're not asymptomatic. If I could change that scoring system I would add one more item: the number of afib ablations the EP has done. Under 1000 would give you 1 point, under 500 would give you 3 points, and under 100 would give you 5 points. The only major technology in the making is pulsed field ablation (PFA). It's in clinical trials nowby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Carey, I followed the majority advise and did fire him. Have to say he came with very good reviews for all of the majors. I am still confused over my own particular situation. I like your advise of just waiting as that i what i had in the back of my mind as well especially after hearing so much about Dr. Natale and his ability to treat long term persistent A-Fib patients. Waiting would cby MarkoP - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congratulations, you had your ablation! Thanks for checking in. How are you feeling? Did they say that the ulcers are from the ablation or could it be irritation from being intubated? I don’t think they are using the pulsed field technology yet except in the ongoing clinical trials.by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Same thought patterns you and i. now it's to try and find the real truth. I've contacted Dr. Natale's office. Spoke to a very nice nurse Norma. Seem to know her stuff, She recommended i try to get in the Pulsed Field Ablation trial as i will progressively get worse. Sure but in how long? in 5 or hopefully 10 years there could be some better treatments! unlike my prostateby MarkoP - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've successfully used PIP flecainide for 18 years. If nothing else, you should put off your ablation till pulsed field ablations (PFA) are standard of care as what you are doing is working reasonably well. Second, choose your ablating EP carefully if you do decide to get an ablation. Afib ablations are a combination of art and technical skill IMO. People around here commonly suggesby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I was told that after FDA approval (no projected date given) it would be available for touch-ups, though whether it would be available to those with implanted devices, was not yet known.by Daisy - AFIBBERS FORUM
Daisy, Did Natale expressly say that PFA is going to be available for touch-ups in the near future?? My present understanding is that it’s for index (first) procedures only. Cheers, Mikeby mwcf - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great update and thoughtful background reporting. Thanks Ralph! Jeffby Jeff W - AFIBBERS FORUM
Congratulations Ralph. Thank You for your one year update. I am pleased to hear about your success . I am planning to go the same (PFA) route but in Europe, maybe in Bordeau France which is nearer to my country. Benby ben saif - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thanks for sharing your experience!by Pompon - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDaisy So, I have started the process for an RFA in Austin with Dr. Natale. Should I need a touch up later, PFA might be a possibility. Glad to hear this!by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM