Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In AF, irregular beats speed up the heart rate. Such disorganized, rapid beating can impair the heart's pumping function.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the leading causes of stroke in the elderly.
Its prevalence is 0.4%, but it is seen in 3–4% of people who have reached adulthood. 70% of AF patients are between 65 and 85 years old.
Many treatment options are available, including medications, catheter-based procedures, and surgery.
If left untreated, it can lead to enlargement of the heart, heart failure, and stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain, which is the most dangerous consequence of this rhythm disorder.
Surgical treatment methods for AF:
laser
microwave
radiofrequency
ultrasound or cryotherapy (freezing)
In patients scheduled for minimally invasive heart surgery, a surgical ablation procedure is performed at the same time.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.