Drs. Lico and Wall collaborate to perform

Convergent MAZE procedure to treat Atrial Fibrillation

A ground-breaking heart procedure to treat chronic atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), known as the Convergent MAZE, is now being offered for the first time in Western New York at the Catholic Health Heart Center at Mercy Hospital.  Cardiothoracic surgeon, Serrie Lico, MD, and electrophysiologist, Rob Wall, MD, combined their expertise to perform this latest minimally invasive treatment method for A-Fib in the hospital's state-of-the-art hybrid operating suite.  The procedure begins with Dr. Lico performing the MAZE procedure in which he operates on the outside of the heart, referred to as epicardial ablation.  After accessing the heart through a very small incision below the breast, Dr. Lico uses high-resolution scopes for imaging, laparoscopic instruments and radiofrequency energy to create surgical lesions on the heart that block A-Fib triggers and pathways.

Without the need to move the patient, the procedure continues with the changeover to Dr. Wall's team to perform the endocardial catheter ablation.  Dr. Wall inserts a catheter (a long, thin, flexible tube) in the large vein of the groin, which is guided to the heart through the blood vessel.  He then uses a special machine to send energy through the catheter to destroy small areas of tissue to achieve a regular heartbeat.

"This is a significant advancement for persistent A-Fib patients by using a combined multi-disciplinary team approach to provide the best treatment option available," says Dr. Wall.  "The procedure has an 85-90% success rate of restoring abnormal heart rhythm and offers many benefits to the patient, including faster recovery, less pain and improved safety with less risk for complications."

"In addition to not having to open the chest, a major advantage of this new technique is that it is done while the heart is beating, so the patient doesn't have to be on a heart-lung machine," states Dr. Lico. "Doing the operation on the beating heart allows us to get instant feedback and we are able to actually go back and test the rhythm and confirm the success of the procedure, or make corrections as needed."

Honored for the 3rd year in a row as a "Top Doc" in Buffalo for 2013

Dr. Serrie C. Lico was honored as one of

Western New York's 2011, 2012 and 2013 "Top Docs"  

He performs all aspects of adult cardiac and thoracic surgery, including off pump CABG, minimally invasive surgery, robotics, complex heart valve repair, and VATs lung resection. He has been trained by world renowned surgeons in New York City and has been in the practice of cardiothoracic surgery for over 15 years. After practicing at Geisinger Medical Center, an academic medical center in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, Dr. Lico started his own private practice in Buffalo. He has outstanding results and performs all of his surgical procedures at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

Featured on WGRZ Channel 2's "Healthy Zone"  Below is the link for Janet Snyder's interview with Dr. Serrie Lico discussing minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

http://www.wgrz.com/life/programming/healthyzone/article/114328/401/Catholic-Health-Interview