Atrial Fibrillation Services - Patient Reviews
This page provides information about a featured electrophysiologist, cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, hospital, heart hospital, arrhythmia center, or atrial fibrillation center.
On this page you will find reviews of this provider by other afib patients.
The link back to the Full Profile will take you to a page with an overview of this atrial fibrillation patient services provider's atrial fibrillation treatments and background. There you will find links that will take you to information about this provider's specialized afib procedures, such as catheter ablation, maze surgery, or the mini maze procedure, and the provider's treatment results, when available.
Marc W. Gerdisch M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.C.
5255 E Stop 11 Rd
Indianapolis, Indiana
317-851-2331
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What Patients Are Saying About Marc W. Gerdisch M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.C.
On March 16, 2006, four days before my 60th birthday, I flew from Denver to Chicago, where Dr. Mark Gerdisch successfully restored my heart beat to sinus rhythm with a Mini-maze procedure. I shall be forever grateful.
My irregular heart rate began several years prior to the operation. At first, exercise induced (most notably after skiing), and later occurring much of the time for no apparent reason, my life style became increasingly diminished. I was put on a number of medications; none worked and most had uncomfortable side effects.
The surgery has enabled me to return to an active lifestyle with no limitations or signs of AFIB. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Gerdisch for giving me a second chance at living a normal active lifestyle. His excellent skill as a surgeon and his dedication to his patients is unequaled; he even gave me his cell phone number when I left the hospital and told me to call if I had any issues or questions what so ever. Thank you Dr. Gerdisch!
-- Rick Watson
Atrial fibrillation brought my life to a standstill, shattering the 65 mile bicycle rides, the 2-3 hour workouts at the health club, and both my body and spirit. Whirling around me were cardioversions (effective from 20 minutes to a few weeks), anti-arrhythmia drugs (one slowing my heart too drastically, another stopping my heart, and a third one inducing gory diabolical hallucinations), and daily combat duty with Coumadin. Fear had wrapped his bony fingers around my life, squeezing out peace and joy and hope, leaving days and weeks and months of eating and reading while trying not to remember what once was and what I believed could never be again.
My cardiologist advised invasive measures in an attempt to control my A-fib. Thus began my education of catheter ablations and mini-mazes. Having taught thousands of college students how to conduct objective research, I began acquiring articles from medical journals, and with the help of dictionaries, translating them into a language I could understand. Comparisons and contrasts in methods, risks, and results between the two procedures slowly emerged. Toting lists of questions, I arrived at consultations with my general physician and cardiologist. Either procedure seemed a viable option and I alone would have to decide between them.
For me, the mini-maze had an important advantage—surgically removing the left atrial appendage where most blood clots form during A-fib. Discovering that a cardiac surgeon who performed mini-mazes was located a few miles away, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Marc Gerdisch.
One frosty morning, the door of the examination room where Arlene was recording my hearbeat opened and Dr. Marc Gerdisch walked into my life. With his wide smile, firm handshake, and “Hi, I’m Marc Gerdisch. Mind if I take a listen while Arlene has you all prepped?” Our alliance began.
Soon we were knee-to-knee, with Dr. Gerdisch sketching a heart to illustrate what he does during a mini-maze. This was a discussion, not a lecture from an aloof, pompous surgeon. Here was a doctor who obviously took his work seriously, a highly skilled surgeon who believed passionately in the mini-maze procedure, who exuded warmth, vitality, and confidence, but who also possessed a refreshing sense of humor. As we conversed, the fingers of fear gradually abated. And like the mythical Egyptian bird, the Phoenix, hope began to rise from the ashes of my A-fib-dominated life.
Before leaving that exam room, I believed a mini-maze was the best option for me, and Dr. Marc Gerdisch was the cardiac surgeon I wanted behind the scalpel. I was more than just a patient—I became a partner in the journey to restore health, and a partner with a man of genuine integrity and deep compassion.
Most paths have a few twists or turns, but today, well over 2 years since my mini-maze surgery, I’m lighter of body (by 65 lbs.) and buoyant of spirit. Once again life holds joy and peace and hope. And activity—lots of activity: 2-3 hour workouts at the health club most days, walking to the post office or library, tending my 30’x 40’ veggie garden (with no Coumadin to restrict consumption of those green, leafy things), household chores, lawn mowing, playing in my flower patches, cycling as far as I wish, working on hobbies, or well, just enjoying life without A-fib.
Every day I am thankful for the doctors and nurses who helped me along the road to health. But deep within my heart there is a sanctuary reserved for Dr. Marc Gerdisch.
-- Carole Sherman
