Convergent ablation

Posted by pal @palni, Apr 17 8:52am

Hello,

I am going thru Atrial flutter (not Afib) for the second time in 4 years.

When it happened first time in 2020, my heart (both Right Atrium and LA ) got enlarged and it came back to normal with Oral cardioversion + Sinus rhythm. I had a clot in LA appendage as well at that point of time. After this I did 5 echo's in the 4 years where they confirmed RA was back to normal and LA enlargement has reduced from severe to mild.

Now in 2024, I am going thru the same issue Flutter + LA/RA enlargement + Tiny clot (very smaller than what it was in 2020) in LA appendage.

I never had any usual Afib symptoms. No exertions or breathing .I am doing all the Cardio workout without any issues.

My local cardiologist says I need to go thru Convergent ablation because of the recurrence + Heart enlargement. I am not convinced with his approach based on my previous case history and asymptomatic scenario.

I am seeing a Cardiologist in Mayo in couple of weeks. Any one has gone thru similar experience.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

ferret911 | @ferret911 | Apr 24 6:32pm

Please check out my first comment to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group posted today. I’ve been offered a double dose of metapropol in between the unsuccessful 1/24 ablation and a second one now scheduled for 5/24. It seems that ablation is the only arrow in the arrhythmia specialists’ quiver, along with forever Eloquis, and I haven’t found any particular research interest or innovation/research in this condition. If you’re ever offered any other advice, please let this group know.

allen4501 | @allen4501 | Apr 26 7:42am

Hello Pal,

I was the third Mayo patient in Jacksonville to undergo the convergent procedure and have been free of AF, flutters, or palpitations since. Yes, it is a bit unnerving realizing they are going into your chest to reach the exterior of the heart, but the "mechanics" for doing so make perfect sense in eradicating these errant electrical signals.

Here is a link to my initial comments and a recent follow-up.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/convergent-procedure/?pg=2
Be positive in knowing you are in excellent hands!

pal | @palni | Apr 26 8:32am

In reply to @allen4501 "Hello Pal, I was the third Mayo patient in Jacksonville to undergo the convergent procedure and..." + (show)

Thanks.. Is that done at Jacksonville? If you are okay.. can you share the EP you have seen in Mayo @ Jax

allen4501 | @allen4501 | Apr 27 9:45am

Hi Pal,

I have not seen an EP (!) since the procedure, as my ARPN has now taken charge, but Chris McLeod was my EP at the time.

Since convergent is a two-step process, the “external” portion is handled by a cardiothoracic surgeon, and mine was Ian Makey. Both were great to work with and, as usual for Mayo, personable and professional.

Given that it has been over three years, who does what these days may have changed. And yes, this was performed in Jax, but it's probably safe to assume the other two Mayo Clinics are now performing.

Also, if you are researching, do not confuse “convergent” with the Maze procedure, which is an older and more aggressive (open heart) version. Some hospitals also call convergent a Hybrid-Maze.

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