Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Get prompt AFib treatment to rectify Atrial Fibrillation and restore your abnormally fast heart rate.

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AFib Treatment - An Overview

Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is a cardiac issue where your heart beats irregularly or abnormally fast without any order. This condition is triggered by electrical short circuits that occur in both the atria, although it is more pronounced in the left atrium. During AFib, the atria contract abnormally due to the electrical signals originating outside the Sinoatrial Node. These abnormal contractions cause the atria to fibrillate or quiver. The anomalous signals then move to the ventricles, causing them to contract rapidly and irregularly, thus resulting in an unorganised contraction of the ventricles and atria. Because of such disturbances, the blood pumped out to the body from the heart will vary with every heartbeat. Eventually, the ventricles lose their ability to pump blood to the rest of the body. AFib may start suddenly and then stop on its own, or it may become a long-lasting problem.

Dr. Karthigesan, the Electrophysiologist in Chennai offers a range of atrial fibrillation treatment options. With over a decade of experience, he is among the few in the country providing international-standard care for atrial fibrillation. He operates an exclusive atrial fibrillation clinic dedicated to addressing the prevalent issue of arrhythmia, offering services to a wide range of patients seeking treatment for common arrhythmia disorders.

Symptoms

Palpitations
Fluttering sensation over the chest
Shortness of breath
Tiredness
Dizziness
Chest pain
Loss of consciousness [syncope]

Other Complications

Increased difficulty for the heart to normally pump blood.
High risk of blood clot formation, which may lead to stroke.
Heart failure and other cardiac issues.

Causes

Previous heart attack
Existing heart diseases
Heart valve problems
Prior heart surgery
Diabetes
Obesity
Obstructive Sleep apnea
Thyroid imbalance
Hypertension
Excessive caffeine intake
Smoking and alcohol intake
Anxiety and stress
Unexplained fatigue
Vigorous exercising

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Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Paroxysmal AFib

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) generally resolves itself within a week, often without requiring any treatment. The symptoms of AFib, while intermittent, typically persist from a few minutes to several hours. In certain instances, these symptoms may extend up to a week, and the episodes may recur periodically. Even though it is intermittent in nature, these rhythm disturbances can cause brain stroke.

Persistent AFib

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), extends beyond a week and necessitates treatment. In this form of AFib, the heart rhythm fails to self-regulate back to its normal state. For individuals exhibiting AFib symptoms, therapeutic interventions such as cardioversion or medication may be administered to reinstate and sustain a regular heart rhythm.

Long-standing persistent AFib

Long-standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), which extends over a year, often poses a significant treatment challenge. Medications and therapeutic interventions become essential in this scenario, not only to regulate the heart rate but also to prevent potential blood clot formation.

Permanent AFib

Permanent Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a condition that persists for an extended period, often spanning many years. In this particular form of AFib, the irregular heart rhythm cannot be restored, even with the application of various treatment modalities.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options

Blood Thinning Medications

Due to the elevated risk of blood clots resulting from atrial fibrillation, a majority of patients with this cardiac rhythm disorder are typically prescribed blood-thinning medications. The primary purpose of these drugs is to inhibit the formation of blood clots, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of stroke.

Antiarrhythmic Medications

This is the conventional approach to managing atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, it's important to note that medications’ effectiveness is only 40-50%. Medications can help to moderate the frequency and intensity of atrial fibrillation. In certain individuals, the efficacy of these medications may be less pronounced. Furthermore, medication may also cause side effects.

Cryoballoon Ablation

In this procedure, the extra muscle causing the short circuit is ablated through cryo energy delivered through a balloon inserted from your groin area all the way to the heart.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

This procedure uses Advanced 3D mapping guided ablation with smart touch technology. Dr. Karthigesan has performed this procedure for numerous patients in Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.

DC Shock or Electrical Cardioversion

This procedure reverts the fibrillating heart to its normal rhythm when a shock is administered to the chest.

Pacemaker & AV Node Ablation

The pacemaker implantation and AV node ablation are ideal for aged patients with multiple comorbidities, especially if their symptoms are severe and medication has not been effective.

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Atrial Fibrillation Treatment : Answers to Your Queries

Who is at maximum risk of atrial fibrillation?

You are at risk if you are:

Aged 65 and above
Suffering from existing cardiac diseases
Suffering from hypertension and thyroid issues
Addicted to alcohol
Obesity
Experiencing sleep apnea
Suffering from specific lung diseases

What are the preventive measures for AFib?

There is no definitive way to prevent AFib. However, you can mitigate the risks by:

Keeping diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea under control
Staying fit and maintaining an ideal body weight
Avoiding smoking, alcohol intake and drug abuse

Is AFib an inherited cardiac disease?

Yes, hereditary AFib is possible, although it is not common. Persons with hereditary AFib will often experience symptoms at a very young age. Their family history of AFib will also be very strong.

What are the treatments to prevent a stroke?

Dr Karthigesan may suggest blood thinners to prevent the formation of blood clots inside the heart, which may lead to a stroke. You might need to continue taking the blood thinner for the rest of your life, or there's a possibility that you could discontinue it following an interventional procedure. Based on your risk profile, Dr. Karthigesan will decide whether you need to take the blood thinners permanently or not.

When should I consult my doctor?

You should seek immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms:

Episodic/persistent palpitations
Severe chest pain
Shortness of breath
Severe bleeding
Worsening symptoms
New or mild symptoms

What are the latest interventional treatment options available for Atrial Fibrillation?

The latest interventional treatment option introduced in India is cryoballoon ablation. Dr.Karthigesan is well-trained and experienced in the cryoballoon ablation procedure. Cryoballoon ablation has a potential success rate of 85%.

Another new treatment method is the 3D mapping guided RF ablation with smart touch technology. It also has a success rate of 80- 85%. Dr Karthigesan is well-trained in handling this procedure as well. He will decide the right procedure suitable for you based on your health condition.

Both these treatment options have a higher success rate than the conventional approach of taking antiarrhythmic medications, which has a success rate of only 40-50%.

What are the advantages of interventional treatment or medical treatment in atrial fibrillation when compared to conventional treatment methods?

Interventional treatments are known for their high effectiveness and safety. They boast a success rate of 80-85%, a substantial improvement over the 40-50% success rate associated with conventional medication approaches. Conventional medications will have to be taken lifelong and can have adverse side effects as well.