recommendation for EP in Stanford or UCSF or South Bay

Redwood city

by Amyelynn - 2024-09-23 11:29:42

Would Redwood City work?

I love my new EP she works for silicone valley cardiology or Palo Alto medical foundation.

dr shadi Kalantarian 

she works with a whole team for lead issues and pacemaker implants etc. out to Sequoia hospital.

i hear really good things about Stanford as well but not sure of the EP team there as my insurance does not cover Stanford. I would recommend Stanford over UCSF though personally. 
 

good luck!

Amy

Thank you

by smopace - 2024-09-23 13:15:47

Hi Amy, Thank you very much! How many years she has practices as EP? From LinkedIn, it is 2 years. From other sources, it is 11-20 years. I am confused a bit.

Not positive

by Amyelynn - 2024-09-23 13:36:07

Hi 

I am not positive of this answer. I know she did fellowship at UCSF as she worked with  Dr Byron Lee (who I mentioned was there lead extraction specialist) and Dr Kalantarian and her team do perform lead extractions (which is a highly specialized skill) so I would lean more towards the 11-20 years.

she is very caring and personable and actually listens to and processes what I say and what my concerns are. She has taken  the time to answer all my questions as welll at each appointment. She also recommended I get a second opinion as my case is very rare and she said it's always good to get a second opinion with such a big decision. She even gave me some question ideas to ask the other surgeon to help me decide which doctor was best for me.
She is the best EP I have had. I have had a pacemaker for 26 years since age 12 so I have had a lot of doctors and a lot of bad experiences. 
you can also search the other EPs she works with at the practice yet I highly recommend her from my experiences.

Lead revision procedure needs to be specially trained

by smopace - 2024-09-23 14:28:31

Just talked to UCSF and they don't accept any patient for lead revision since no doctor specialized in this until they hire one.

Wrong terminology

by Amyelynn - 2024-09-23 15:50:32

I am not positive but lead revision may be the wrong terminology.

not sure if you were able to explain what's going on and what needs to be done?

as most EPs (even some regular cardiologist; though I don't recommend) can put new leads/generators in. Capping an old lead is a simple procedure.  
 

"A pacemaker lead revision is a procedure that involves replacing or repositioning a pacemaker lead in the heart."

I would think with the capping and replacing  route a new generator will also be placed as less chance of infection and also might as well upgrade the device (newer technology)

repositioning of a lead what I would think is lead revision is a lot more in depth specialized procedure.

good luck!

this is the term used in doctor note

by smopace - 2024-09-23 18:28:44

He said just left the existing lead in since he is over 80s and it is dangerous to pull out. Add a new one. It is sedation ( local anaesthetize). what does it call if simply capping the old lead and put a new one. 

New device too?

by Amyelynn - 2024-09-24 00:45:17

Is your dad getting a new generator put in too?

if so i would just say that's removal and replacement of single chamber pacemaker. Capping of old lead and placement of one new lead.... but I'm not a doctor 🤣  

Not a new device

by smopace - 2024-09-24 02:00:45

But he needs to change battery since it has about 15month left.

I am going to meet the current EP tomorrow. I am not sure it is rude to ask how many lead revision procedure/PM implant every year. But he only does procedure one day a week and he has practices EP for two years.  

silicone valley cardiology

by smopace - 2024-09-24 02:05:12

Hi Amy, do the doctors in silicone valley cardiology focus on seeing patients or on research a lot?

Smopace

by piglet22 - 2024-09-24 06:38:19

As you are concerned, rightly so, about the procedure, approached the right way it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask the prospective surgeon about their own experience in treating these cases like your fathers.

You've already found out that one hospital won't take patients because they don't have a specialist to do it.

That alone should give you some reassurance as the hospital is aware of the risks.

If you had a new heating system installed, it would be sensible to ask for references and have the opportunity to inspect qualifications, especially if it's a job that requires certification.

I doubt that it would ever happen, but no professional ought to be reluctant to disclose their experience and success rate.

UCSF

by Rch - 2024-09-24 20:38:54

Hi

UCSF is one of the top 10 quaternary care medical centers in the country and I'm really astonished that it doesn't have certain specialist in Invasive Cardiology or Cardio-thoracic surgery department. In fact it was the first institution where a catheter ablation was performed in humans in the early 80s. Please check your sources where you get the information. I suggest that you get your Cardiologist to make some calls and refer you to the medical center. I hope you will get some help soon and make the right decision.