Atrial fibrillation

Electrical Shock (Cardioversion): Sometimes AFib patients may not be able to achieve a normal heart rhythm with medication therapy alone. In that case, your physician may suggest electrical cardioversion, which delivers an electrical shock to the chest wall to synchronize the heart to create a normal rhythm. Invasive Therapies/Surgeries: To effectively control heart rhythm, catheter ablation may be required, especially for patients who fail antiarrhythmic medication trials. During a catheter ablation, an electrophysiologist (like Dr. Mitiku) will thread thin, flexible catheters through a vein or artery in the upper thigh, arm or neck, and will guide it to your heart, placing it at the location where the arrhythmia begins. The catheter emits a burst of energy to destroy (ablate) very small areas of tissue that cause rapid and irregular heartbeats. In rare difficult cases, surgical ablation (i.e., Mini Maze) procedures may also be used as part of your treatment. Mini Maze is open-heart surgery ablation procedure, where a cardiothoracic surgeon will make small incisions near your heart to create an electrical block along the pathway that is causing your arrhythmia.

While there are many options available, your physician will create the best treatment plan for you. This may change overtime depending on your overall health and if you develop any other medical conditions.