onna

Hi Onna - I got the pacer because sick sinus was causing my heart to pause so long I would almost black out. It was unpredictable, but usually happened when I was trying to convert out of afib, so it was either get the pacemaker to stop the pauses or stop driving a car. I haven't had any more pauses since I got it 6 years ago. Pacers can't prevent the afib (they're trying to develop that capability but aren't there yet, as I understand it) but in my case, I think it helped. I had two afib ablations before they diagnosed my sick sinus, and between the ablations and the pacer, things calmed down after a few months and I've only had a couple of short bursts of afib in the last 5 years. 

I'm happy with my doctor at Barnes, Daniel Cooper, and have also heard good things about Dr. Cuculich. Unless it's an emergency, he's really hard to get in to see too, and the Big Medical Center Bureaucracy can be a pain. I have had good luck e-mailing Dr. Cooper's team with questions through the patient portal.

It might be worth getting a second opinion at Barnes, but it doesn't sound like you're unhappy with the care you're getting from your current EP, is that right?

Hi Onna - Yes, my EP said that's something to think about if my afib returns, but considering my situation (paroxysmal, no heart disease) he thought I could achieve NSR with an ablation which is much easier on the patient. It's been 2 1/2 years since I've had full-blown afib, so far so good. But if it comes back, I will discuss that possibility.

I've heard wonderful things about Dr. Damiano - if you decide on the mini-maze, you'll be in great hands.

Good luck!
Cathy

Thanks for answering.