My A-Fib’s Back: Need a Touch-Up This Week
On August 19 I’m scheduled for a touch-up ablation by Dr. Andrea Natale at Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Dr. Shephal Doshi and Steve Aug 1 2019
I’m symptom free. But my Medtronic Reveal LINQ loop recorder shows I still have some A-Fib after a catheter ablation by Dr. Shephal Doshi at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica 24 months ago (August 2019).
Background: My first catheter ablation was in 1998 by Drs. Michel Haïssaguerre, Pierre Jais, and Dipen Shaw in Bordeaux, France. Though it was relatively primitive compared to what EPs are doing today, it kept me A-Fib free for 21+ years.


Left Atrial Appendage: During the touch-up ablation, my Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) may have to be electrically isolated. If that’s done, and my LAA doesn’t empty of blood properly, I may have to have a Watchman device inserted to mechanically close off my LAA. As an enthusiastic runner/sprinter, I don’t want to have my LAA closed off as it can reduce blood flow. But at 80 years old, I may have little choice. I’ll post again after my redo ablation.
A “re-do” catheter ablation is nothing to be frightened of. My procedure this week, like last time, will be as an out-patient. For my 2019 touch-up procedure, I arrived at the hospital at 5am and was back home at 5pm. In and Out. Lickety-split!