In order for the heart to beat, it receives electrical stimulation or signals that start in the atria or upper chambers of the heart and then travel down to the ventricles or lower chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation is defined as chaotic or abnormal electrical signals or pathways in the atria resulting in an irregular heartbeat. The irregular heartbeat does not allow the atria to contract or squeeze normally. The atria quiver, decreasing the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each heartbeat.

Catheter (radiofrequency) ablation is a non-surgical treatment option for atrial fibrillation that locates and destroys abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that cause atrial fibrillation. Once found, the pathway is destroyed with radiofrequency energy. This burning, or ablating, prevents the pathway from conducting electricity. If the abnormal pathway cannot conduct electricity, it cannot initiate atrial fibrillation.

Because atrial fibrillation is a complex disease, the Center for Atrial Fibrillation offers a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. After carefully reviewing the patient's medical history and cardiac evaluation, physicians discuss their recommendations with the patient and the patient's referring physician and/or cardiologist. Incorporating the patient's referring physician and/or cardiologist into the delivery of care, essentially expanding the "team approach" concept, is highly endorsed and practiced by the Center for Atrial Fibrillation.

Patients undergoing catheter (radiofrequency) ablation are diagnosed and treated in the electrophysiology laboratory by specially trained cardiologists called electrophysiologists. Electrophysiologist focus on the electrical or rhythm system of the heart.  Bradley P. Knight, MD is the director of cardiac electrophysiology at Northwestern Memorial and Rod S. Passman, MD is the medical director for the Center for Atrial Fibrillation.  Together, Drs. Knight and Passman and the team of electrophysiologists use advanced imaging, mapping, and ablation energy sources to optimize the results of the catheter (radiofrequency) ablation procedure. The team provides state-of-the-art care that results in long-term cure from atrial fibrillation in the majority of patients. Catheter (radiofrequency) ablation provides the first-line curative approach for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Contact

For more information regarding atrial fibrillation, please call the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at 1-866-662-8467 or request a first time appointment online.