Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart arrhythmias, affecting millions of patients in the U.S. alone. It is a rapid, irregular heart rhythm originating in the atrial (upper) chambers of the heart, commonly causing palpitations and fatigue. It greatly increases the risk of stroke
Atrial fibrillation can be cured through radiofrequency ablation, a procedure performed either during an electrophysiology study or a surgical procedure, in which the source of a patient's heart arrhythmia is mapped, localized, and then destroyed (i.e., ablated.)
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Arrythmia Treatment
What is Arrythmia?
Arrhythmias are problems that affect the electrical system of the heart. Depending on the type of arrhythmia, the heart may beat too slowly or too quickly. Symptoms can include a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, dizziness, or passing out. Without treatment, heart arrhythmias can become life threatening.
How is Arrythmia Diagnosed?
To diagnose an arrhythmia, one of Stamford Hospital's electrophysiologists—a cardiologist who has been specially trained to assess and treat electrical problems in the heart—will perform an electrophysiology (EP) study that looks at the heart's electrical signals and pinpoints the cause and location of the heart rhythm problem.
What Are the Treatment Options?
An electrophysiology study can also help determine the best treatment option. Depending on the nature and location of the arrhythmia, treatment may include medication, implanting a defibrillator, surgery or a highly specialized EP procedure.
One of the specialized electrophysiology procedures performed in the hospital's cathaterization lab is a catheter ablation. Ablation is a treatment that cauterizes (burns) cells to eliminate rhythm abnormalities in patients. Catheter ablation is an outpatient procedure that normally takes only a couple of hours to complete and has few complications.
If you are having one of these procedures you will be contacted prior to the procedure by a member of the team who will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare.
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For more information or to make an appointment please call
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