Heart Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation
This common heart disorder occurs when electrical signals in the heart become irregular, causing the heart to beat rapidly and out of rhythm. A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, whereas atrial fibrillation can range from 100 to 175 beats per minute.
Many people experience AFib as a sudden, unpleasant sensation of their heart racing, but some people have subtle symptoms and are unaware of their AFib until it is diagnosed during a physical examination.
If you have Atrial Fibrillation symptoms, you should contact Dr Udgeath Dhir right away. Dr Dhir has a team of doctors who treat people who have atrial fibrillation. Fix your appointment today!
How Atrial Fibrillation is Treated?
The maze procedure is used to treat atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat. Scars are formed in strategic locations in the atria as a result of the maze procedure. This results in a maze of scar tissue that the surgeon can manipulate with cold energy (cryoablation). The maze can prevent AFib from being caused by faulty electrical signals.
During open-heart surgery for another heart condition, a maze procedure can be performed. It could also be a minimally invasive procedure (also known as a minimaze) with smaller incisions.
AFib can be treated with a maze procedure, which improves symptoms and quality of life.
What happens after the Atrial Fibrillation Surgery?
After the surgical ablation, you will be transferred to a recovery room where you will be awakened from anesthesia. You will be a little sore, but not in excruciating pain.
You may have a breathing tube in your throat. You may also have a tube in your chest to drain excess fluids. Typically, the tubes are removed two days after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because atrial fibrillation is frequently caused by conditions that damage or strain the heart, making simple lifestyle changes to improve your heart health may help protect against AFib.
Some tests may be required to ensure that you are in good enough health for this open-heart surgery:
- Blood tests
- X-rays of the chest
- An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG or EKG, is used to assess the heart rhythm.
- An echocardiogram, or echo, is used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart.
Complications can occur following any type of surgery, and they are more common in people who:
- Are older and significantly overweight
- Have some medical conditions
- Smoke
Dr Udgeath Dhir and his team will discuss your risks and how to mitigate them.