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AFibbers Database: Carl

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NameCarl
LocationFLA
Age59
Diagnosed conditionchronic AF
Years with conditionat least 7, but probably more
Frequency of episodesevery 2 days or so
Duration of episodes1-4 hrs. SR obtained by taking Tenormin
General healthnever smoked, former Masters swimmer, triathlete, biker
Current statetired of Coumadin, Amiodarone(Pacerone), which has caused significant loss of pulmonary function, stopping amiodarone as of 11/3/00
TriggersStress, beer (one bottle or less), sometimes wine, but usually not until 24 hours later, sometimes exercise (even
slight)
Current medications/side effectsAmiodarone 400mg/day, lipitor 20mg/day, 50mg tenormin when needed
Tired, easily winded, measurable loss in pulmonary function as of test on 11/1, so I am off Amiodarone as of today,
since it can be baaad for one's lungs.
Past medications/side effectsTambucor-lost effectiveness, even when dosage was up to 200% of orginal, Lanoxin, may have had part in
increased frequency and intensity. Tenormin daily with that regimen. AF got to where it would last 3+ days,
most of the time at 145bpm or more (up to 260). Cardiologist said "live with it". I ultimately went to electro-
physiologist.
History of surgeryWithin a week after seeing the EP, I had a catheter ablation, which has helped for 18 months, but it could be because
I have been taking the amiodarone. At least I don't stay in AF as long or at as high a heart rate as before the
ablation.
Have now decided to undergo the maze procedure at the Cleveland Clinic because I can only see things getting
worse. The AF cure rate for the maze procedure is nearly 100%, and although it is open heart, it beats a lung
transplant. My EP is scheduling this procedure now and I hope to do it within 2 months.






Future plansMaze as above and return to active lifestyle
Personal commentsFor in depth coverage of the maze procedure, go to the web site of the Annals of Thoracic Surgeons at:
http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/70/5/1580
I was going to go thru the maze anyway, but after reading this when it was posted this week, I got a tremendous
boost of confidence.
Go to http.//members2.boardhost.com/mazealumni/msg/1.html for the Maze Alumni exchange. There are
increasing posts of those of us who have taken the "leap". Most, if not all have one regret about the maze
procedure: Not having done it earlier!! I hope to be one of them soon.
Check list
crossacebutololtickamiodarone (cordarone,pacerone)crossanisindione (miradon)
crossatenolol (tenormin)crossaspirincrossazimilide
crossbepridilcrossbetaxololcrossbisoprolol (monocor,emconcor)
crossbretyliumcrossbucindololcrosscarvedilol
crosscibenzolinecrossdicumarolcrossdigitoxin
crossdigoxin (lanoxin)crossdiltiazem (cardizem)crossdiphenylhydantoin
crossdisopyramide (norpace)crossdofetilide (tikosyn)crossdronedarone
crossencainidecrossesmolol (brevibloc)crossersentilide
crossflecainide (tambocor)crossgallopamilcrossibutilide (corvert)
crosslidocainecrossmibefradilcrossmetoprolol (lopressor,toprol xl)
crossmexiletinecrossmoricizinecrossnadolol
crossphenytoincrossprocainamidecrosspropafanone (rythmol)
crosspropranolol (inderal)crossquinapril (accupril)crossquinidine (quinaglute)
crosssotalol (betapace)crosstedisamilcrosstimolol
crosstocainidecrosstrandolapril (mavik)crossvalsartan (diovan)
crossverapamil (calan,isoptin)tickwarfarin (coumadin)crossasthma
crossdiabetescrossGERD/acid refluxcrosshypertension
crosshypotensioncrosshyperthyroidismcrosshypothyroidism
crossadrenergiccrossvagalcrossfamilial
crossidiopathic/lonecrossparoxysmalcrosspermanent/chronic
tickatrial fluttercrosscardiomyopathycrossCHF
crossPACcrossPVCcrossSVT
crosssyncopecrossbradycardiacrosstachycardia
crossheart blockcrossmyocardial infarctioncrossrheumatic heart diease
crosssick sinus syndromecrossstrokecrossWPW
crosselectrical cardioversioncrossdefibrillatorcrosspacemaker
tickablationcrossbypasscrossmaze
tickMalecrossFemale 

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