Category Archives: Surgery

StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Dr. James Edgerton Consults with an Afib Patient About Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options – Video

In this video, Dr. Edgerton consults with an afib patient and caregiver about such atrial fibrillation treatment options as medication, cardioversion, catheter ablation, Cox maze surgery, and the minimally invasive (mini maze) surgical procedure. Watch the video at: Dr. James R. Edgerton Discusses Treatment Options with an Atrial Fibrillation Patient and Caregiver - Video

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

New Five Box Maze Procedure Is Promising Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

A new mini maze procedure developed by Dr. John Sirak at Ohio State University is a promising new treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation as it closely replicates the "gold standard" Cox Maze III lesion set in the heart's left atrium. This “five box” thoracoscopic maze procedure may be better able to treat persistent AF specifically …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Top Atrial Fibrillation Doctors Named to Inaugural StopAfib.org Medical Advisory Board

Today is a very special day for StopAfib.org founder Mellanie True Hills as she celebrates five years of being afib-free as a result of her minimally-invasive (mini maze) procedure. It is also National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, so today is the perfect day to make a big announcement. StopAfib.org is very pleased to announce our …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Afib Convergent Procedure Webcast: Catheter Ablation plus Surgery

Here is an interesting webcast replay that you may want to check out if you're interested in having a catheter ablation or surgery for atrial fibrillation. In this webcast, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Andy C. Kiser and electrophysiologist Dr. Mark Landers, both of Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, perform a Convergent Procedure. This procedure, …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Webcast of Total Thoracoscopic Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

Today we're featuring a replay of a webcast of a Total Thoracoscopic Maze (TTM), a minimally invasive (mini maze) procedure for atrial fibrillation. The webcast, from PinnacleHealth, features Dr. Mubashir A. Mumtaz, cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr. David C. Man, electrophysiologist. Watch the replay: Replay of Total Thoracoscopic Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Decrease Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk When Ablation Isn’t An Option

Not all atrial fibrillation patients are candidates for an ablation, either catheter ablation or surgical ablation, such as the maze or mini maze procedures. Thus their stroke risk remains high. We recently wrote about the FDA’s approval of the AtriClip device, which is implanted during open heart surgery and reduces stroke risk by occluding (closing …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

FDA Approves the AtriClip for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention, and Other Devices Are Being Tested

AF patients are generally at a higher risk for stroke and thus may have to take anticoagulant medications, such as Coumadin or warfarin, to manage their afib-related stroke risk. With the FDA's recent approval of AtriCure's AtriClip device that is implanted during open heart surgery, afib patients and their doctors may now have another way …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Washington Post looks at how “atrial fibrillation is easy to find, but evidence on how best to treat it isn’t”

Atrial fibrillation took center stage in a feature story in Tuesday's Washington Post. The article not only looked at treatment for atrial fibrillation, but also at what afib does to patients. The atrial fibrillation experiences of Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, were included in this story. Read more at: Washington Post Highlights Afib: Atrial …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

African Americans Show Less Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Women Need More Aggressive Afib Treatment — Findings from HRS

At Heart Rhythm 2010 in Denver recently, a session on demographic factors influencing atrial fibrillation management and outcomes featured the following research findings: African Americans Have Less Risk Than Caucasians of Atrial Fibrillation After Bypass Surgery Blacks Have Lower Risk of Atrial Fibrillation After Age 60 Than Whites Despite Higher Risk Factors Women with Atrial …

Read More
StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

Dr. Andrea Natale Discusses New Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Treatments – Video

At Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2010, Dr. Andrea Natale shared with us some of the new directions in atrial fibrillation treatment, including the newer hybrid procedures combining catheter ablation and surgery for chronic or persistent atrial fibrillation, and contact force sensing. See the video: Interview with Dr. Andrea Natale at Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2010

Read More