Lisa, et al.
I've been thinking about this for some time and i guess i finally just got up the nerve to ask. I would appreciate your comments.
We tend to steer folks away from alcohol ablation because it is a relatively new procedure and the long-term effects are unknown. However, if we are to advance HCM treatment options, should we necessarily be turning our backs on ablation? When you think about it, myectomy is a rather primitive form of treatment isn't it? "Oh yes, Mr. Smith i see that your septum is enlarged so why don't we just cut you open and slice out the extra tissue?" Eeek!
I guess the same applies to ICD's. It just all seems so turn-of-the-century electro-shock therapy to me. "Oh yes, Mrs. Jones, i see that you are having heart flutters, why don't we just pump you full of juice and see what that does for you?"
I myself chose myectomy over ablation because of it's long track record of success and i couldn't be happier, but at some point in the future it's just got to be replaced by something else, right? How is this ever going to occur if we are not open to exploring these new technologies?
Is this the bottom line?: "Yes, we want to explore new HCM treatment options but not with my heart"?
One thing that does bother me about ablation however, is that since it can be done in a cath lab, it seems like every hospital in the world now is trying to 'get in on the action' and this is definitely NOT in the best interest of HCM'ers for sure.
Any thoughts on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Jim
I've been thinking about this for some time and i guess i finally just got up the nerve to ask. I would appreciate your comments.
We tend to steer folks away from alcohol ablation because it is a relatively new procedure and the long-term effects are unknown. However, if we are to advance HCM treatment options, should we necessarily be turning our backs on ablation? When you think about it, myectomy is a rather primitive form of treatment isn't it? "Oh yes, Mr. Smith i see that your septum is enlarged so why don't we just cut you open and slice out the extra tissue?" Eeek!
I guess the same applies to ICD's. It just all seems so turn-of-the-century electro-shock therapy to me. "Oh yes, Mrs. Jones, i see that you are having heart flutters, why don't we just pump you full of juice and see what that does for you?"
I myself chose myectomy over ablation because of it's long track record of success and i couldn't be happier, but at some point in the future it's just got to be replaced by something else, right? How is this ever going to occur if we are not open to exploring these new technologies?
Is this the bottom line?: "Yes, we want to explore new HCM treatment options but not with my heart"?
One thing that does bother me about ablation however, is that since it can be done in a cath lab, it seems like every hospital in the world now is trying to 'get in on the action' and this is definitely NOT in the best interest of HCM'ers for sure.
Any thoughts on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Jim
Comment