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Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is one of the most common heart conditions. This heart arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) is serious because it can increase the risk of stroke by five times and also puts patients at risk for heart failure. That’s why it is so crucial for us to stay on the forefront of new technology and effective treatments to protect the patients in our care.
Our team of cardiologists at Ascension St. Vincent’s is always engaging in research and participating in the latest clinical trials. Here are some recent developments we’ve seen that can make a huge impact in your AFib treatment and your quality of life.
New Generation of Stroke Prevention: Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion and the WATCHMAN Device
AFib is such a potent risk factor for stroke because the upper chambers of the heart (or atria) do not contract properly, allowing blood to pool in a cavity known as the left atrial appendage. The pooled blood can form a clot that travels to your brain’s arteries, interrupting blood flow and leading to a stroke.
Anticoagulation medications are still the first line approach to prevent this risk for most patients. However, unintended bleeding can become problematic for certain individuals. If the left atrial appendage is surgically removed or occluded, then this risk of stroke is effectively managed without the added bleeding risks of anticoagulation.
That’s where the WATCHMAN device comes in. The WATCHMAN is an implant placed in your heart to block off the left atrial appendage and prevent blood clots from entering the bloodstream. This non-invasive procedure typically takes less than a half hour, as we insert the device through a vein in the leg. Using the WATCHMAN allows doctors to reduce stroke risk without putting patients at risk for increased bleeding.
Cutting-Edge Software to Guide Cardiac Ablation
During an AFib ablation treatment, a specialized cardiologist known as an electrophysiologist inserts catheters through the blood vessels into the heart to burn or freeze the tissue causing abnormal electrical signals in the heart. The procedure has been used for decades to restore a normal heartbeat, though the tools and experience have improved greatly over the past several years, yielding higher success rates and lower complications.
For the past year, Ascension St. Vincent’s has been one of the first sites in the country evaluating an innovative software that can identify specific areas in the heart that are causing AFib. This technology allows doctors to pinpoint areas for ablation, making the procedure faster, safer and more effective. We have used this technology on selected patients with very advanced, difficult to treat atrial fibrillation — particularly those who have had failed ablations in the past. We recently received FDA approval to continue evaluating this treatment for another year and we have been selected to be one of very few centers worldwide to enroll patients in an upcoming randomized, controlled trial.
Landmark New Pulse Field Ablation
Pulse field ablation is a novel technology to treat conditions like AFib. Instead of burning or freezing heart tissue as in traditional ablation treatments, pulse field ablation more specifically targets cardiac tissues with a controlled electric field. This creates a more precise and faster procedure. Due to the non-thermal nature of the ablation, it is less likely to damage structures around the heart. While this new technology is still under investigation, my team believes it can lead to safer and more effective outcomes for our patients.
We only mentioned a few of the exciting new advancements here, but there are many more in all aspects of cardiovascular care. The most important thing is to always work with your doctor to find the right treatment plan for you.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and chief of cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside in Jacksonville. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty in treating atrial fibrillation, go to ascension.org/JaxHeart or call 904-388-1820.
