Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder. More than 2 million people in the U.S. have the condition and 160,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

At the Mount Carmel Atrial Fibrillation Center, we help patients like you correct their atrial fibrillation by providing a thorough, collaborative consultation and an innovative treatment like atrial fibrillation ablation.

What is Atrial Fibrillation Ablation?

In the simplest terms, atrial fibrillation is an irregular, usually rapid heartbeat that's disturbing enough to impact a person's life. In a normal heart, an electrical impulse passes through the top portions of the heart (the atria) in an orderly fashion. With atrial fibrillation, numerous, very rapid impulses begin simultaneously and essentially compete with one another. Besides causing disabling symptoms and/or general ill feelings, these abnormal impulses can damage the heart as well. Atrial fibrillation is also a major cause of stroke.

With atrial fibrillation ablation, the heart tissue that causes these abnormal rhythms is destroyed, or ablated, either surgically or through a catheter using radiofrequency energy. These interventions remedy arrhythmia by cauterizing the heart tissue around pulmonary veins, leaving only the normal pathways in place. The return to normal rhythm helps patients get back to their lives and prevents the blood clots that can cause strokes.

Who’s A Candidate?

In selected patients, atrial fibrillation ablation can offer a cure. And while atrial fibrillation ablation is a safe and effective treatment for the condition, not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. Patients who represent the best fits for atrial fibrillation ablation are those who:

• Do not respond to medical therapy
• Are intolerant to medical therapy due to side effects
• Endure continuous or frequent intermittent atrial fibrillation
• Have isolated atrial fibrillation
• Have significant symptoms like discomforting palpitations, tiredness or difficulty breathing
• Already require heart surgery for other reasons

Our Program

At the Mount Carmel Atrial Fibrillation Center, we aim to provide the best and most appropriate treatment for each patient.

When you’re treated here, you’ll not only meet with a nurse practitioner, you’ll also be evaluated by a cardiothoracic surgeon and an electrophysiologist who will work together to determine the best approach for you and your unique circumstances.

Depending on the treatment path you follow, you’ll work with the same surgeon or electrophysiologist for both your procedure and follow-up, so you’ll receive not just comprehensive care, but consistent care as well. And your physician here will stay in touch with your personal physician so that he or she is kept in the loop, too.

Hours

The Mount Carmel Atrial Fibrillation Center is open the last Thursday of each month from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location

Questions?