[Choosing Surgeons for ICD?]
Author: Craig (---.dsl.sfldmi.ameritech.net)
Date: 07-30-02 09:58
Folks,
I saw something Lisa wrote recently that raised my eyebrows. I have my ICD implant scheduled for August 29th at University of Michigan hospital by a EP named Dr. Knight. He has implanted 300-400 over the past 6-8 years. He is well recommended by my local cardiologist.
Lisa recently wrote that it is important to have an EP who really knows HCM well since "our" veins are different, etc. Is this always true? What studies show that HCM patients have smaller veins, etc.? Should I be looking for a different EP to do the operation? Is there any way to know in advance if my veins are smaller, etc.?
Help me out here...
Craig
P.S. No baby yet, but we will let you know when he arrives!
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[Re: Choosing Surgeons for ICD?]
Author: Sarah B-Board Moderator (---.ipt.aol.com)
Date: 07-30-02 11:05
Dear Craig
300-400 implants is A LOT. But you can always give the guy a call and ask him about his knowledge of HCM to allay your fears. And you can call the office to see if Lisa or Dr. Maron know or know of this particular doctor.
I think LIsa said that small veins are a possibility, not a guarantee, and if you take a deep breath, talk to the doctors involved about their expertise, I think you will find that they are qualified.
hang in there,
S
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[Re: Choosing Surgeons for ICD?]
Author: Lisa Salberg (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 07-30-02 20:33
Yes Sarah you are correct. My mentioning the point of smaller veins was simply an example, no not everyone has 'smaller veins" with HCM, but it is something I hear from people post implant that doctors have mentioned to them.
A doctor who has implanted 300-400 devices has likely seen just about any abnormality or odd situation you could dream up. I would think that doctor would be a good choice.
For your own knowledge wouldnt you want to know if the person about to implant a device in you has worked on anyone "like" you before? That would be a heck of a thing to find out after a procedure dont you think?
Craig, if you have found a doctor you are comfortable with, he/she has experience with nearly 400 ICD implants and after all the thought you have put into this.... I think you have made good informed decisions, ,, Sometimes it is worse to overthink the situation.
Best of Luck with the BABY (remember Aug 9!)
Lisa
Author: Craig (---.dsl.sfldmi.ameritech.net)
Date: 07-30-02 09:58
Folks,
I saw something Lisa wrote recently that raised my eyebrows. I have my ICD implant scheduled for August 29th at University of Michigan hospital by a EP named Dr. Knight. He has implanted 300-400 over the past 6-8 years. He is well recommended by my local cardiologist.
Lisa recently wrote that it is important to have an EP who really knows HCM well since "our" veins are different, etc. Is this always true? What studies show that HCM patients have smaller veins, etc.? Should I be looking for a different EP to do the operation? Is there any way to know in advance if my veins are smaller, etc.?
Help me out here...
Craig
P.S. No baby yet, but we will let you know when he arrives!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Re: Choosing Surgeons for ICD?]
Author: Sarah B-Board Moderator (---.ipt.aol.com)
Date: 07-30-02 11:05
Dear Craig
300-400 implants is A LOT. But you can always give the guy a call and ask him about his knowledge of HCM to allay your fears. And you can call the office to see if Lisa or Dr. Maron know or know of this particular doctor.
I think LIsa said that small veins are a possibility, not a guarantee, and if you take a deep breath, talk to the doctors involved about their expertise, I think you will find that they are qualified.
hang in there,
S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Re: Choosing Surgeons for ICD?]
Author: Lisa Salberg (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: 07-30-02 20:33
Yes Sarah you are correct. My mentioning the point of smaller veins was simply an example, no not everyone has 'smaller veins" with HCM, but it is something I hear from people post implant that doctors have mentioned to them.
A doctor who has implanted 300-400 devices has likely seen just about any abnormality or odd situation you could dream up. I would think that doctor would be a good choice.
For your own knowledge wouldnt you want to know if the person about to implant a device in you has worked on anyone "like" you before? That would be a heck of a thing to find out after a procedure dont you think?
Craig, if you have found a doctor you are comfortable with, he/she has experience with nearly 400 ICD implants and after all the thought you have put into this.... I think you have made good informed decisions, ,, Sometimes it is worse to overthink the situation.
Best of Luck with the BABY (remember Aug 9!)
Lisa