If you have questions about the Wolf MiniMaze procedure, or if you are an Atrial Fibrillation sufferer with questions about your condition, or a question about medications or any other AF related questions, such as recovery time, pain involved from the procedure, or just comments about your AF, or a family members AF, please email us with your question or comment.

Your email will be answered by Dr. Wolf himself, or by George Rabe, a former chronic atrial fibrillation/flutter sufferer, who was cured by the Wolf MiniMaze, or if you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for the Wolf MiniMaze, Erica Lonas, Clinical Coordinator, for the Wolf MiniMaze Program may be the one to answer you, and have you provide additional information

If you would like to send an email question, or comment, send it to:
wmmforum@wolfminimaze.com

ORIGINAL EMAIL:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Leo S
To: George Rabe
Subject: Looking for info on Mini Maze

Hi George,
Read about your fight with AF on Dr. Wolf's website. It is remarkable how he was able to help you and give you your life back. I too have AF. Had it since 1980 but not as severe as yours. Now, after a cardioversion two month ago, I was put on amiodarone and warafin and feel miserable. I am hoping to be accepted by Dr. Wolf for the Mini Maze procedure to cure my AF and be able to rid myself of these dangerous drugs.

I am corresponding with Chuck Miller. He is doing very well, which is unbelievable after all he went through. How are you doing since your procedure in July of 2004? Did you feel better right away after the procedure or did it take some time? Are you now completely cured of AF? Any reoccurrences? Are you still on some type of heart medication?

On your website you mentioned that you did retrofits for Cincinnati Milacron. I was involved in rebuilding and retrofitting, both in-house and by OEM's, of various types of machine tools during the 70's, 80's and 90's at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut. I dealt frequently with servicemen from Cincinnati Milacron on our Cincinnati CNC's. Have you ever bin at P&WA? Maybe we have met in the past? It would be interesting to know.

Please write if you have a chance. Would really like to hear from you and how you are doing.

Leo S

Hi Leo

I was never cardioverted, most probably because I go to the VAMC, (Veterans Administration Medical Cheepos).

I refused treatment with amiodarone, because of the research I had done about the drug, on the internet. I personally think that amiodarone treatment is one of those situations, where, "The cure is worse than the disease", but I am speaking as a non-medical person.

I had no real pain after the surgery. I had what I call "major tenderness", but I was already on Oxycodone 5mg for my spinal problems and the VA added one Oxycodone 5mg a day and put me on the Predisone (Steroid) "Shock pack", their version of the "Medrol Dose Pack", but the VA uses more pills over a longer length of time, so I am sure that the pain pills and the steroids masked some pain.

I have never had as much as a skipped heart beat or any irregular heart pattern, at least that I could feel, since I woke up in the recovery room. I had my surgery on Tuesday, drove myself home, (with my fiancée along) on Friday. Saturday I was holding my fiancée's grand daughter, about 35-40 pounds, when I thought, maybe I shouldn't be doing this, so I put her down, but I had no surgical discomfort from it, but the next day, my back told me that I had over done myself.

I take NO medication for afib, including coumadine, however, I am being treated for high blood pressure, which I have had for about 10 years, but I'm, an old foggy, I will be 66 on Halloween.

If you don't have any other problems with your heart, other than the afib, then you have (LAF), "Lone Atrial Fibrillation", which should make you a perfect candidate for Dr. Wolf's MiniMaze procedure.

Leo, you read my story, if it weren't for Dr. Wolf's procedure, I might be dead by now. Only an affiber can understand what another afibber goes through. If I had the "suicide circuit" in my mind, I would definitely not be here now. I always say about atrial flutter, which is what I had, "In the first hour of it, you are afraid that you are going to die, in the sixth hour of it, your afraid your not."

See Dr. Wolf, get fixed and try skydiving with me.

George

ORIGINAL EMAIL:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Dr. Wolf
From: Wayne C
Subject: Mini-maze

Dear Dr. Wolf,
I had written to you once before and you were very promt in a reply, I thank you. After speaking to my cardiologist who over the years has become a friend he spoke to an associate of his Dr. Jose Nasari regarding my a-fib and this is a quote,"If it were my daugher I would send her to Dr. Wolf. He is the best at this procedure and a Dr.'s Doctor".
So it is decided on this end Dr. Wolf, your it!! How should I proceed. I personally would like to do this ASAP and this past July had a echo-stress test and wore the halter for 24 hours.
Please advise,

Sincerely,
Wayne C

The Center for Surgical Innovation ( 513) 584-3279 - email minimaze@uc.edu. (The 800 number is 1-86-MINI MAZE or 1-866-464-6293)
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