Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
I just read these 2 article in a local "So Healthy" magazine sent out by our local hospitals. and thought they were interesting. The first article is about my EP doc. This is in Santa Rosa, California where I live.
First,
"Treating Irregular Heartbeats by Freezing Problematic parts of the Heart, using a new Cardiac Therapy - Aproved by the FDA in December 2010.
The Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system by Medtronic Inc.
About 7 million people globally, including more than 3 million Americans, are affected by atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat. The condition causes the heart to pump inefficiently and can lead to chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, heart failure and increased risk of stroke.
CryoAblation, a proven therapy that has been used for years by other specialists, now can be applied by electrophysiologists (experts who specialize in treating abnormal hearth rhythms) to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This alternative to drug therapy uses a coolant, injected into a balloon catheter, to freeze disruptive tissue. Once the problematic tissue is frozen, it can help stop the electrical signals that can interfere with a heart's normal rhythm. Peter Chang-Sing, MC of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital is the first North Bay electrophysiologist to complete the Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter Program, which the FDA requires for clinical use of this device."
The second article is also interesting. - perhaps sometime the ablations can be done this way.
"Accessing the Heart Through the Wrist
In use by fewer that 5% of cardiologist in the US
Radial artery method of catheterization. A local patient recently became the first patient in Sonoma County to undergo a coronary angiogram - an X-Ray procedure used to examine the hearts blood vessels using cardiac catheter threaded through a tiny incision in her wrist.
The procedure was performed by Sanjay Dhar, MD who inserted the catheter through the radial artery of the wrist and up to the patient's heart, instead of the more tradition approach using the femoral artery, which is accessed through an incision in the groin. Studies have shown that radial artery method results in more rapid recovery, less bleeding and greater comfort for the patient."
Just thought that many of you would find these 2 article interesting and informative. Joan
First,
"Treating Irregular Heartbeats by Freezing Problematic parts of the Heart, using a new Cardiac Therapy - Aproved by the FDA in December 2010.
The Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system by Medtronic Inc.
About 7 million people globally, including more than 3 million Americans, are affected by atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat. The condition causes the heart to pump inefficiently and can lead to chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, heart failure and increased risk of stroke.
CryoAblation, a proven therapy that has been used for years by other specialists, now can be applied by electrophysiologists (experts who specialize in treating abnormal hearth rhythms) to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This alternative to drug therapy uses a coolant, injected into a balloon catheter, to freeze disruptive tissue. Once the problematic tissue is frozen, it can help stop the electrical signals that can interfere with a heart's normal rhythm. Peter Chang-Sing, MC of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital is the first North Bay electrophysiologist to complete the Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter Program, which the FDA requires for clinical use of this device."
The second article is also interesting. - perhaps sometime the ablations can be done this way.
"Accessing the Heart Through the Wrist
In use by fewer that 5% of cardiologist in the US
Radial artery method of catheterization. A local patient recently became the first patient in Sonoma County to undergo a coronary angiogram - an X-Ray procedure used to examine the hearts blood vessels using cardiac catheter threaded through a tiny incision in her wrist.
The procedure was performed by Sanjay Dhar, MD who inserted the catheter through the radial artery of the wrist and up to the patient's heart, instead of the more tradition approach using the femoral artery, which is accessed through an incision in the groin. Studies have shown that radial artery method results in more rapid recovery, less bleeding and greater comfort for the patient."
Just thought that many of you would find these 2 article interesting and informative. Joan
When I had my ablation in March, I knew I had to stay in the hospital for a while (I had mine done in day surgery and opted not to stay overnight) - but like you, did not realize that I had to be still and on my back.