Ebstein's Anomaly + afib

Hi soph......yikes! Only a few months before your friend needed a second ablation! That's disheartening. (Pun not intended) But, on the other hand, her second one obviously fixed the missed spots and I hope that will be her last one. With the medical/surgical advances that have been made just in the last decade, I have read that it is becoming ever safer for older people to undergo procedures. You're only 85 and I'm sure you're not the only one with Ebstein's Anomaly. I would think they are working on a way to deal with that. Please don't give up hope. There was some hesitation regarding my ablation as I've got CAD (coronary artery disease) and two stents. I wasn't in on the decision making, but I'm very glad they decided to go ahead with it. My friend who just turned 91 recently had surgery for some bowel issues and she came through with flying colors even though she has pretty severe COPD and some other health issues. I wish ALL of us dealing with AFIB the very best outcome.

Now I've found an interesting article about an 87 year old with Ebstein's. It makes me wonder-does Mayo ever operate on people in their 80's for EA? What is the Mayo experience with older people? Do we die slowly by getting weaker and weaker or is there a sudden collapse of the tricuspid valve. This is helpful information for getting affairs in order. I still feel like going to working and going to exercise class.

Hi soph...…..you can undoubtedly call the Mayo Clinic and talk to someone about your questions and concerns. People from all over the country go there for procedures. If you go to the main Mayo Clinic website, there is a box you can click on to contact them. I'm not sure if we're allowed to add links here, but I'll take a chance and post the link anyway...….https://www.mayoclinic.org/ You have some very important questions, but they are questions only a specialist is qualified to answer for you. I think it's great that you still feel like working and going to your exercise classes, but I'm certainly not the one to tell you if that is wise or not. Is your exercise class a cardiac rehab class? I was sent to a class at the hospital after my stent placements for 2 months and it did wonders for me. The class was conducted by two cardiac nurses, so I felt very comfortable, confident and SAFE if there had been any problems. But do try the Mayo Clinic...….if anyone knows about doing procedures on elderly patients with EA, it would be them. I wish you the very best, soph. Keep in touch. We're all rooting for you!
RubyWitch

I did try to talk to the Mayo Clinic but they said that they could only talk to my doctor, and only if he was connected to the Mayo Clinic as consultants. For 6 weeks I did go to cardiac rehab, but I found that they only wanted us to go faster and faster all the time. I think my doctor wanted me to slow down. It's interesting to be older. When I've been in the hospital, I've had roommates that had apparent zero quality of life, sleeping all day and night with the television on. And my hospital has just created a room to serve a patient of 1000 pounds. I do wonder if people 85, like me, should just be quietly allowed to die without terrible measures being taken. I want to be a reasonable member of our entire society, including medical care. But I think it's valuable for us to share information with each other. thanks.

Hello soph, I do not have Ebstein's. However, I have had tachycardia and AFib for many years beginning in 1967. I am female, 88 almost 89 years old and like you tried to live a healthy life. This past 7 seven months, I've had almost constant AFib and tachycardia until my EP gave me the choice of a total AV ablation after medication did not help. I received a second opinion which was the same. I had the ablation, June 11 after an ER admittance and just had my first EP visit and pacemaker check and I received a glowing report. Yes, 80 year olds plus can have successful ablations if needed. I feel like I have a new life even though I am solely dependent on my pacemaker. Keep positive and keep seaching for answers. Magsmar

Thanks, terrific that you did well on your ablation. Thanks, that's very helpful to hear. Going strong at almost 89. Yey!