Over three million people in the United States are living with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib). For years there has been limited treatment available to AFib. Now there is a new Afib therapy available to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis patients in Wichita, Kansas.
The new therapy for persistent AFib, a condition of having an abnormal heart rhythm that lasts longer than a week. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means there is less damage to the body than an open-heart surgery.
The two-part procedure combines minimally invasive heart surgery and traditional catheter ablation. Through clinical trials, this treatment has a higher success rate than surgery or ablation alone.
Our heart care team at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis specializes in AFib, a type of arrhythmia, where your heart beat is irregular, either too fast or too slow. You may feel a flutter or quiver in your chest. Other symptoms may include chest pain, sweating, fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness.
Cardiothoracic surgeon Jordan Groskurth, MD, with Wichita Surgical Specialists PA, along with David Margolis, MD, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist with Ascension Medical Group Via Christi, performed the first case at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis.
Dr. Groskurth successfully performed the first phase of treatment at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis on June 28. The second phase, which involves an ablation performed in the Electrophysiology Lab at St. Francis, was performed by Dr. Margolis.
AFib, is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, that can lead to blood clots in the heart. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers of the heart.
One in four adults over age 40 will develop atrial fibrillation in their lifetime, increasing their risk of stroke and heart failure, and nearly half suffer from long-standing and persistent atrial fibrillation.
Advanced heart arrhythmia treatments
At Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, our care team supports you before, during and after your surgery to help you return to the activities you love to do. We monitor your physical and emotional health and provide cardiac rehab and medication management. Learn more about minimally invasive treatments for AFib by calling 316-274-8370.