Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Expert Surgical Care for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation, also known as Afib, is the most common heart arrhythmia disorder. Proper diagnosis and management of this condition by a medical professional are essential. Afib is caused by abnormal electrical signals in the heart’s upper chambers called the atria. These rapid signals can cause an irregular rhythm which can disrupt blood flow,  and increase your risk for stroke or heart failure.

Treatment options for atrial fibrillation may include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications, including blood thinners
• Nonsurgical or catheter ablations
• Implantable heart devices, such as a pacemaker
• Surgical ablations (open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery)

Who may need atrial fibrillation surgery?

Your healthcare provider will determine when it is appropriate to consider surgical treatment for Afib. Typically, this occurs when medical therapy or nonsurgical options fail to manage the irregular heart rhythm effectively.

Surgical treatments for atrial fibrillation

Your cardiac surgeon will determine if you are a candidate for surgery based on several factors, including age, general health, risk factors and failure to respond to traditional treatment options. Often, these surgical interventions are performed on patients who require open heart surgery for another condition, such as coronary bypass grafting or heart valve replacement.

Maze procedure

Maze procedure is performed during open heart surgery by making lines using either incision, heat or cold therapy to allow scar tissue to form. This maze of scar tissue blocks the abnormal electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation.

Convergent procedure

Convergent procedure is a minimally invasive hybrid procedure performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist. It is typically performed when patients have not responded to other treatments. The cardiac surgeon will make a small incision in the abdomen and deliver extreme heat radiofrequency currents through a scope to destroy abnormal tissue on the outside of the heart. The electrophysiologist will insert a catheter through your groin and use radiofrequency ablation of extreme heat or cold to target the heart tissue from the inside of the heart to eliminate abnormal electrical impulses. The success rate with the convergent procedure is higher than with surgery or catheter ablation alone.

Atripclip

Atriclip is a permanent clip-like implant used to close off the left atrial appendage, a small sac where blood tends to collect in people with atrial fibrillation. Closing off this appendage or sac can decrease the risk of blood clot formation and lower your risk of stroke. This can be done with open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery.


Learn more about Wellstar’s advanced cardiovascular surgery program.