Bruce
Herd Master
To this I was going to reply
until I read the later posts. So the LAA is kinda like the appendix, still there but has no positive use?
Sure hope all goes well @greybeard !!
Pastor Dave's Highlights
- Thread starter Pastor Dave
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until I read the later posts. So the LAA is kinda like the appendix, still there but has no positive use?
Sure hope all goes well @greybeard !!
CntryBoy777
Herd Master
Will sure be Praying for ya GB....nothing like that is fun nor is it an easy decision to make....
greybeard
Herd Master
I wouldn't say "no" positive use...To this I was going to reply
So the LAA is kinda like the appendix, still there but has no positive use?
http://www.afibbers.org/resources/LAA.pdf
The LAA has several important physiological functions[1-3]:
• As it is more distensible than the left atrium itself it can act as a decompression chamber when left atrial pressure is high. Animal experiments have shown that eliminating access to the LAA results in an increase in the size and mean pressure in the left atrium.
• The LAA is known to mediate thirst (at least in animals). Thus people without a LAA might have a greater tendency to become dehydrated.
• Removal of the LAA has been shown to reduce stroke volume and cardiac output and may thus promote heart failure. Its removal could be particularly detrimental in patients with existing heart failure as it would further reduce their cardiac output and perhaps promote pulmonary congestion.
• The LAA is a major endocrine organ and is the main producer of ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) in the human heart. The ANP concentration is 40 times higher in the LAA walls than in the rest of the atrial free wall and in the ventricles. A study of patients having undergone the maze procedure and associated LAA removal found a significantly lower ANP secretion and a commensurate increase in salt and water retention. Whether this could eventually lead to hypertension is not known.
CntryBoy777
Herd Master
That sounds like a really weighty decision for ya @greybeard , and probably comes with a long list of restrictions too. I only have 45% function of the heart and it sure doesn't take much to tucker me plum out anymore....used to could work hard all day....not any more tho....I sure hope ya stay in touch with us here and let us know how it is going when ya can....will certainly be with ya in "Spirit and Prayer".....
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Pastor Dave
Herd Master
That sounds like a really weighty decision for ya @greybeard , and probably comes with a long list of restrictions too. I only have 45% function of the heart and it sure doesn't take much to tucker me plum out anymore....used to could work hard all day....not any more tho....I sure hope ya stay in touch with us here and let us know how it is going when ya can....will certainly be with ya in "Spirit and Prayer".....
x2!
What the others said. Guess from your post you haven't 100% decided to go forward with the procedure.
greybeard
Herd Master
No, I haven't decided. I have 2 consultations 2 days apart 1st week of March. One with the cardio electrician and then one with the surgeon. Wife's already made up her mind tho..."we're" going to do it. When I go into afib I run risk of stroke, but my irregularly irregular heartbeat doesn't happen regular enough to warrant a regular fix (pacemaker), so that's out. Can't take the good newer blood thinners because I spontaneously start bleeding from different places about 2 weeks after I get on them..every time. Will have to go on Cumadin for the 1st 6 months after the procedure and I'm not looking forward to that and the weekly blood tests that protocol requires either.
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CntryBoy777
Herd Master
I support ya in whatever ya decide GB and that'll be tough to deal with in whatever the scenario that plays out....stay Strong!!....
promiseacres
Herd Master
Bruce
Herd Master
Seems almost a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" thing. I guess if they block it off you still get the ANP??
