Diagnosis of Arrhythmias/ Atrial FibrillationĪrrhythmias are diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and EKG. In the case of tachycardia, complicating factors include heart attack, heart valve disease, angina, and emphysema. Possible causes include heart disease, aging, myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to heart muscle), electrical conduction disorders, stress, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, diet pills, and cough medication. It is not always clear what causes an arrhythmia. The majority of these operations have been performed in conjunction with other cardiac procedures (such as valve repair or coronary bypass), but the procedure can also been used for atrial fibrillation as the sole indication. The Columbia team has performed surgical atrial fibrillation ablation (SAFA) in more than 600 patients, with a success rate (normal rhythm) at 6-12 months of 76%. While nonsurgical treatment options, such as electrical cardioversion, often help restore a normal rhythm initially, recurrence rates as high as 75% have been reported.Ĭolumbia's surgical atrial fibrillation program is led by Michael Argenziano, MD, Director of Arrhythmia Surgery, and the management team are trained in the most innovative treatment options for atrial fibrillation. These risks warrant medical attention for patients with AF even if symptoms are mild. AF is also associated with increased risk of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). If a blood clot moves to an artery in the brain, AF can lead to stroke. In addition, AF occurs in as many as 50% of patients undergoing cardiac operations.Ībnormalities in the heart's electrical impulses in patients with AF cause blood to be pumped improperly, resulting in pooling or clotting. It is one of the most common forms of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 0.4% of the general population and 5 to 10% of persons over 65 years of age. Atrial FibrillationĪtrial fibrillation (AF) is a form of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, in which the atria (the two small upper chambers of the heart) quiver instead of beating effectively.
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