Atrial Fibrillation Services - Specialized Procedures
This page provides information about a featured electrophysiologist, cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, hospital, heart hospital, arrhythmia center, or atrial fibrillation center.
On this page you will find information about this atrial fibrillation patient services provider's specialized atrial fibrillation treatments, such as catheter ablation, maze surgery, or the mini maze procedure, as well as the provider's afib procedure results, if available.
The link back to the Full Profile will take you to a profile of this provider that has background, an overview of the atrial fibrillation treatments provided, and a link to reviews by other afib patients, if available.
James Wudel, MD
7400 S 91st
Lincoln, Nebraska
402-328-3752
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Specialized Procedures and Results
Surgeons at the Nebraska Heart Institute have performed hundreds of procedures for AF. Recently, a new minimally invasive technique has been used successfully for the treatment of AF. Benefits include no sternal incision, less blood loss, and quicker recovery.
A major part of the surgical procedure for AF includes removal of the left atrial appendage, which is the likely source of stroke in patients with AF. Removing the appendage may reduce the risk of stroke and in many patients allow discontinuation or reducing the need for coumadin.
The MAZE procedure is a surgical intervention that cures Atrial Fibrillation by interrupting these extra electrical beats that are fired from the atria of the heart. Traditionally, the MAZE procedure, done by cutting and sewing of the heart, has been very successful.
Recently, alternative energy sources have been used to replace cutting and sewing of incisions with linear lines of ablation (lesions) to stop the abnormal impulses. The surgeon uses a highly selective and safe device which creates lesions in the top portion of the heart to stop the conduction of the extra beats while channeling the normal impulse from the top of the heart to the bottom to form a normal beat. The scar tissue forms where the lesions were made and the abnormal beats are now unable to form. Your heart will beat normally again and provide the body with the blood supply it needs.
If you are already having an open heart surgery procedure and you are a candidate for surgical treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, the surgeon will be able to access your heart through the same incision.
If you are not having an open heart surgery procedure but may be a candidate for surgical treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, you may be a candidate for Minimally Invasive Surgery where your operation will be done with small incisions and without the heart-lung machine to cure your Atrial Fibrillation.
Dr. Wudel's Surgical Results—Published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery:
