Welcome to Mayo Connect @patinhou. Thanks for adding the mini-Maze procedure to our conversation. Are we talking about two different problems -- clots and a-fib cures? Coumadin and similar blood "thinners" prevent clots from forming in the heart, but they don't cure a-fib. The mini-Maze procedure does; it is a surgical procedure that stops heart tissue from issuing the spurious electrical impulses to the atrium (upper chamber). Through small incisions, the surgeon cuts heart tissue slightly, causing scars that block the faulty beats. The cuts are called "ablations."

There are other ablations as well -- heat, cold, radio energy, for example -- that are administered by catheter through a blood vessel. They too stop the faulty beats most of the time. Here are some links to more info; view them in this order:
http://www.stopafib.org/maze-surgery.cfm
http://www.stopafib.org/mini-maze.cfm
The choice of ablation in general -- and the type of ablation -- must be tailored to the individual patient. Thus, mini-Maze is not always appropriate. @patinhou, would you favor us with some of the points your cardiologist made in recommending mini-Maze for you? Do you think ablation is essential or elective for you? And why mini-Maze is better than other ablations? Thanks for anything you can add to help other members who are interested.

I saw Dr Wolf here in Houston.  He does the mini Maze procedure.  We have not decided absolutely that I am a candidate for this procedure.  However, I really don't want to take blood thinners,  and I have a past history of thrombi shower.  I know this procedure is not for everyone,  but the lecture I went to made me realize there are options.  I have paroxysmal a fib.  I get fast, pounding heart rate with it, but recently found out I also have silent episodes.

Patricia, thanks for your candid offering of information on your circumstances. We all can understand how important your decisions are at this crucial time, and we hope you can sense our concern for your efforts to bring your a-fib under control. I usually suggest that a person get a second opinion from the best health care professional they can find. Your relationship with Dr. Wolf clearly has equipped you with very sophisticated information and moved you toward making vital decisions. As you know, paroxysmal a-fib, being unpredictable, heightens the need for a highly expert medical team with a lot of experience in dealing with variants in symptoms and functions. Do you feel that you're about ready to decide on your series of steps in treatment?

Most of us here are not so well-informed as you on your challenges, so for our benefit, I'd like to insert a link to a general article on a-fib to make it more convenient for us to understand better what you're dealing with:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/diagnosis-treatment/mayo-clinic-experience-patient-stories/orc-20164957.
We'd like to stay in touch with you to learn from your experience, but more to cheer you on and offer our support as you move forward. Please keep us posted and tell us if you need anything that we can provide.

This isn't exactly a reply, but an open question. Does anyone know if having AFib and a leaky Mitrel Valve can interfere with a Cardio Version being successful?