Jodi's Thoracoscopic Maze Heart Procedure

Jodi, a credit administrator for a bank in Ohio, had episodes of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) for several years, causing her to experience skipped heartbeats. But a more pressing concern for her was being overweight, and in November 2005, she had a gastric bypass procedure. Over the following 18 months, she lost 200 pounds. But within just 3 months of the procedure, Jodi began to experience a rapidly increased heartbeat that made her PVC seem like a walk in the park.

On her way to work one morning, her heart began to race so quickly that she was afraid to drive because she was concerned about passing out. She saw a cardiologist almost immediately, who put her on a beta blocker to slow the heart and relax the blood vessels. But she continued to experience periods of irregular heartbeat, and was referred to another doctor in Columbus who used several unsuccessful methods to control her condition. "It got so bad," says Jodi, "that sometimes my elevated heart rate would cause me to lose 6 or 7 pounds, just in one day."

Her Referral to Dr. Sirak

Jodi's doctor did all that he could do and recommended she see a specialist. In January 2007, Jodi visited with Dr. Sirak in a consultation at Ohio State University, taking her mother with her for support and advice. "He read over my medical history and knew within minutes that I was a strong candidate for the thoracoscopic maze procedure," says Jodi. "He sent me for additional testing that afternoon. And he spent so much time with me one-on-one. He made me feel like he could cure me." Jodi was confident that this was the right treatment to help resolve her symptoms.

Her Surgery

Jodi's five-box thoracoscopic maze surgery took place just a few weeks later in February. Dr. Sirak began her 31/2 hour procedure on a Friday morning and she was released from the hospital about 24 hours later. She doesn't remember much discomfort during the recovery period: "The worst part was having some trouble taking a deep breath for a few days. And the breathing tube that was used, I think it caused my vocal chords to swell, because I couldn't talk louder than a whisper for a few weeks and had a kind of quiver in my voice. But that was a minor inconvenience."

Her Concerns Put to Rest

Jodi had been through surgery before, including her gastric bypass procedure, so she had some idea of what to expect. But this surgery was a little different in her mind. "After all," she says, "Dr. Sirak would be operating on my heart. There's a reason they call it a vital organ!"

But as it turns out, her five-box thoracoscopic maze procedure was one of the least stressful surgeries she's had. "Dr. Sirak followed up with me with excellent bedside care and obviously has tremendous surgical skill. It's been over a year since the surgery and now in those times when I do have an episode, it lasts for seconds, not hours." Jodi continued taking an anticoagulant (Coumadin) for 6 months and rhythm medication for 6 weeks after surgery, but now she does not have to take drugs to regulate her heart rhythm.

Her Advice to Others with Afib

Having found a successful treatment, what recommendation can Jodi make for other people living with atrial fibrillation? "I'm certainly not a medical professional," says Jodi. "But I have to say that if you don't feel comfortable with a doctor, find someone who does put your mind at ease. And never accept a physician telling you, 'We've done all we can do.' There are specialists out there who can help you - Dr. Sirak is proof of that."

Jodi also has some specific advice about the five-box thoracoscopic maze procedure. "The maze does work. If you're living with afib and you haven't been able to find a treatment to keep your symptoms in check, it's possible to improve your life with almost no downtime. For me, the benefits of the five-box thoracoscopic maze procedure far outweigh the risks. If you're considering this type of surgery, be sure to find a doctor who's trained on the procedure and take the time to understand the different variations out there."

For more details or to find out if you may be a candidate for the five-box thoracoscopic maze procedure in Ohio, request a phone consultation with Dr. Sirak online or call his appointment phone at (614) 366-7414.