I did not get my ablation!

[Ralph]

Hi all

I went to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore scheduled for my alcohol ablation at 9:30 AM. I was prepared etc and taken in. As they were doing the cath to check everything, Dr. Heldman found a 50 to 60% blocked main artery and a couple others with some plak. They stopped the procedure and took me to recovery.

It looks like now I need a by-pass and a myectomy. I guess they feel while they are in there to do the by pass they will do the myectomy. I have just made an appointment with Dr. William A. Baumgartner who is the Cardiac Surgeon in Charge at Johns Hopkins. My appointment is scheduled for March 2nd.

I feel at this point I should be getting some other opinions as to what I should have done and where and who should do it.

This was very disappointing to me, I was ready to get the AA and begin to feel better. Now I have more to worry about. But also, maybe getting the by-pass and myectormy will be even better than the AA. I am 63 and in good health with the execption of this damned HOCM.

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Baumgartner with myectomy?

Ralph

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph -
Sorry things did not go according to plan. If you want to give me a call we can discuss some options for 2nd opinions as that sounds like what you are interested in at this point.

take care,
Lisa

[Reenie]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph, I hope you can get things worked out soon. Take care!

Reenie

[mtlieb]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph,

Sorry to hear things didn't go as planned. Hope things look up for you real soon. Keep us posted.

Jim

[Linda]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph, I'm sorry things didn't go as planned, but you are so fortunate that they checked things carefully first and caused no harm. Best wishes as you get things lined up for the next step in care. Linda

[Burton Borrok]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph,
The best laid plans of mice and men oft’ gae aglee. I more or less expect it after all these years. I’m 71, had an HOCM attack last New Years, was finally properly diagnosed, and am just chugging along fine now.

Over the years I’ve had a bunch of angiograms and four heart cath’s / angioplasties, plus angioplasties of my renal arteries and iliac arteries. The normal heart cath is done as an out-patient. You check in first thing in the morning, they do the procedure (normally an hour or less) then it’s about four or five hours in recovery flat on your back, then out for supper. If this is a viable alternative, I highly recommend it. The key word here is viable, everybody’s case is different.

If you want more info, or details of the procedure, please PM me and I’ll be happy to fill you in.

Hang in there buddy, the best is yet to be,
Burt

[Ralph]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

I thank you all for your concern and uplifting words. I guess I'll get on my "horse" and get things looked at and done. I'm only 63 and hope to hang around for a number of years to be with my wonderful wife, Katy, and watch our grandchildren grow up.

God Bless you all,

Ralph

[Ronnie]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph,
Definitely don't give up! You were very fortunate they found the Blockages, when they did. I too had a Cath, the day B4 my Myectomy, this summer, they found my Arteries "all clear"- so proceeded w/Myectomy the next day. Sorry, my Myectomy experience was at Mayo, not Hopkins. But Yes, Yes, Yes have the Myectomy, while you are young & healhy!
Good Luck
RONNIE

[Pam Alexson]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph, sorry it was a no go yesterday. I feel confident you will get all the help you need and soon. Hang in there. Keep your chin up. Pam

[Linda]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph, You may have been lucky in another way, by being sent home from Hopkins. For the rest of the world, the Baltimore area is in a bit of a panic over an outbreak of a bad GI bug. Hopkins is one of the hospitals requiring visitors to gown and mask, restricting all visitors they can, and isolating a few units. Hospital where I work has had to isolate a few units. So Ralph, glad you are home now, and stay well. Linda

[Ralph]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Linda,

Yes the CCU was closed down yesterday because of the bug. I guess I may have been lucky not to have been there.

Ralph

[MartinKennedy]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

I too was found to have a blockage so had that taken care of with a balloon angioplasty and stent before they did my AA. I am wondering just how many of HOCM folks have subsequent blockages. My blockage was in the descending artery that actually was the same artery that they had to go through to do the AA. I am sorry I cannot comment on the specific question but I would personally want a second opinion before I went trhough the myectomy\bypass.

Marty Kennedy

[Ralph]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Marty,

Thanks for the reply. How are you feeling now? I hope you are doing great. I have a 50 to 60% blockage in the left main coronary artery, so they couldn't do an angioplasty on that. That's why the by-pass and myectomy. I do have an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in March and an appointment next Tuesday (March 2nd) at Johns Hopkins.

Ralph

[Burton Borrok]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Ralph,
When it comes to heart angioplasty and stenting, been there, done that, done that, done that, and done that – plus the renal arteries and iliac arteries. I have to side with Martin when it comes to getting a second opinion. Regarding a 50 to 60% blockage – mine were all over 70%. In fact, my renal arteries were 85% and 99% blocked when they went in and opened them.

Please get a second opinion, - and ask pointed questions. There is a remarkable difference between an angioplasty and open heart surgery.
Burt

[Ralph]

Re: I did not get my ablation!

Burton,

Thank you for the reply. I will ask many pointed questions and make sure they know what's going on with me.

Ralph