At age 70, Bob Russell and his wife, Linda, still ride their Harley Davidson motorcycle. They have taken many long distance trips, including several trips to the Sturgis, South Dakota rally.

“It’s the trip to get there, not the destination, that provides the thrill,” Russell said.

However, their love for the open road was interrupted when Russell was diagnosed with a serious heart problem. He had visited his physician because he was experiencing shortness of breath, low energy and was very tired all the time.

“I thought I had pneumonia,” Russell said. “Never in my dreams did I think he would tell me I had a heart condition.”

A Surprising Diagnosis

Tests showed Russell was suffering from atrial fibrillation, the most common form of heart rhythm disorder. His physician told him he needed to go to the Emergency department right away, because the biggest concern for those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation is an increased risk for a stroke.

“A local cardiologist prescribed the standard treatment of blood thinners to reduce my risk of having a stroke and beta blockers to slow my heart rate,” Russell said. “I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of having to be on these medications for the rest of my life.”

Russell disliked the medications’ side effects which included asthma-like symptoms, low energy and rectal bleeding. He sought the expertise of another cardiologist who understood his intolerance to the medication and recommended an appointment to see Steven Peterson, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon with the Heart & Vascular Center of Northern Arizona.

Dr. Peterson explained a new surgical option for patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Until recently, surgery only was used to treat atrial fibrillation when a patient had another condition that required open heart surgery. A new, minimally invasive surgery was giving patients an alternative. 

Moving Forward

Russell’s next step was to find out as much as possible about this new procedure, and he spent hours reviewing information. He and his wife eventually decided that the new surgical procedure was the right choice.

On Aug. 8, 2007, Russell had Thoracoscopic – or Stand-Alone – Maze surgery at FMC.

“The surgery was uncomfortable, but it certainly was less invasive, had less risk and offered a faster healing time than open heart surgery,” Russell said.

His surgery required only four small incisions and did not require being put on a heart and lung bypass machine. By the first of September, Russell was feeling better than he had in two years.

“I was able to breathe better, my energy level increased and to my great satisfaction as a longtime church choir member, I was able to sing again,” he said.

Russell is now back to work in his profession as a certified public accountant.

“This surgery gave me back my quality of life,” he said. “Linda and I hope to be back on the road again soon, riding that Harley Davidson.”