Popular Locations
- Outpatient Surgery - Bridgeport Hospital
- Park Avenue Medical Center
- Primary Care Center - Bridgeport Hospital
Atrial fibrillation is the most common abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) and the second most common cardiac condition in the United States. Yale New Haven Health’s comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation Program provides expert care and management of this and related conditions.
Our team of nationally recognized cardiac arrhythmia specialists (electrophysiologists) is skilled in using the latest technology and groundbreaking scientific advancements to provide patients with the best treatment strategies for each patient. These include medical and procedural approaches to treating atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and related heart abnormalities. Our physicians are experts in dealing with the complexities of cardiac rhythm disturbances.
Advanced technology for heart rhythm monitoring includes a very small monitor that is injected under the chest skin and, over an extended period, monitors every heartbeat 24/7. Information received from the monitor, including arrhythmias that may be sporadic and intermittent, is automatically and wirelessly transmitted to the patient’s physician. This type of device vs. a wearable monitor, may be an option.
Our physicians participate in clinical trials, national registries and conduct cutting-edge laboratory research to advance treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and ensure our patients receive the best possible care.
Among our comprehensive treatments for atrial fibrillation:
Sometimes treatment for atrial fibrillation includes cardiac ablation performed by an electrophysiologist and surgery performed by a cardiac surgeon. There are two types of procedures that include surgery to treat this arrhythmia:
Convergent (hybrid) atrial ablation: This procedure involves an electrophysiologist and cardiac surgeon to treat the ablation. During the procedure, an electrophysiologist will treat the inside of the atrium (two of the heart’s four chambers) using either radiofrequency to burn (scar) the tissue or cryoablation to freeze it. The surgeon will perform a series of ablations on the outside of the atrium via a very small incision in the upper abdomen. This dual approach may be used to help reduce or prevent recurrent atrial fibrillation.
Maze procedure: An ablation is performed during open heart surgery usually in conjunction with coronary bypass surgery or valve repair surgery. The surgeon will use either radiofrequency or cryoablation to treat the atrial fibrillation by performing a series of scar lines in the atrium in order promote a normal heart rhythm.