Convergent ablation is a newer procedure. It’s a relatively intense one, too, since it requires two doctors to perform.
But it worked for 56-year old Craig Wilkins of Cary, NC.
The ablation procedure differs from typical ablations in more than just the number of doctors that it takes to perform it, however.
Traditionally, surgeons, like Dr. Kiser, have created scar pat- terns to disrupt the circuitry that causes atrial fibrillation arrhythmia, while electrophysiologists, like Dr. Mounsey, have performed ablations. With the Convergent Procedure, Drs. Mounsey and Kiser work side by side using miniature cameras, small catheters and electrodes to map out an individualized pattern that will work to reestablish normal rhythms in each patient.
The doctors in this story have an 80% success rate for treating complex arrhythmias through convergent ablation. That’s a higher success rate than the going rate for a more mainstream catheter ablation, though at 100 procedures the sample size may not be big enough for it to mean much.
As far as Craig is concerned the procedure was clearly a success. The article talks about how he’s feeling great. He even started his own business.
So if you live in the Raleigh-Durham area you at least know that the UNC Heart and Vascular Network is available to you if you also need the Convergent Procedure. That’s fortunate–the procedure hasn’t hit the mainstream yet!
Have you had this procedure? If so, please weigh in on how it went in the comments below. If you’re feeling great, I’d love to hear about it!
After two ablations and many drugs that did not work for me. My electrophysiology Dr. told me about the convergent ablation. I was the first patient to have it done at Charlton Hospital in Fall River MA in June 2015. I have never felt better! I would recommend it to anyone who has been struggling with afib for any length of time.
Leilani:
Congrats on your successful convergent procedure! That’s awesome. I wish you many years of NSR!
Travis