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Atrial fibrillation is not just another heart arrhythmia, but a fairly common condition that affects over 3% of the population.

Dr. Dimitris Tsiachris, Interventional Electrophysiologist, Scientific Director of the Model Heart and Vascular Center “Athens Heart Center”, at the Athens Medical Center, speaks about the serious risks posed by the disease, but also the great possibilities that medical science has today for its treatment:

What is Atrial Fibrillation and why does it concern us all?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia and is triggered by ectopic tissue in the pulmonary veins of the heart. It is often highly symptomatic with irregular heartbeats (the well-known flutter) and shortness of breath. However, there are cases where patients do not perceive the symptoms and this makes it particularly dangerous and threatening, as those who suffer from it face a high risk of heart failure and serious stroke. This is why it is important not to neglect symptoms such as easy fatigue, but to consult a specialist.

Besides, there are now impressive possibilities, both in investigating the disease and in treating it. For example, we have now reached the point where there are “smart” wristwatches, which have the ability, thanks to special sensors, to read the wearer’s pulse and detect fibrillation when it occurs.

How is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?

Once atrial fibrillation is diagnosed, the most important thing is to determine the patient’s health profile, taking into account their age, whether they have other health problems and whether they need to be given anticoagulant medications. According to statistics, among Greek patients with atrial fibrillation, 8 out of 10 will need to take anticoagulants in order to avoid a stroke. It should be noted here that the stroke caused as a result of fibrillation is not simple or mild, but serious and usually results in some disability or even death.

If, however, the fibrillation persists for a long time, then there is a risk of leading to heart failure and therefore it requires invasive treatment, using the ablation method. The technical possibilities for treating the disease invasively have improved significantly in recent years. In 50% of cases, which mainly concern young patients who have a good health profile and the operation is performed correctly, the invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation leads to a cure. In the remaining 50%, the invasive treatment achieves a significant reduction in the burden of the arrhythmia and an improvement in the prognosis.

What is ablation and how is it performed?

Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that does not involve incisions and is performed under anesthesia. The interventional electrophysiologist inserts a special, flexible catheter from a vein in the thigh, through which it reaches the patient’s heart.

There, he uses heat or cryocoagulation or pulsed waves to create microscopic scars, which form a “fire zone” around the heart, interrupting the irregular electrical signals that cause fibrillation and restoring a normal heart rhythm. The procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes, although new technologies of cryocoagulation and pulsed waves in the pulmonary veins, which are even safer and more effective (> 80% in the paroxysmal form and > 60% in the persistent form), have greatly reduced the time of the entire procedure.

The Athens Medical Center is the center in Greece with the greatest experience in cryocoagulation procedures, while at the same time it is a training center in the advanced uses of pulsed waves for electrophysiologists from all over Europe.

It should be noted here that developments in stroke prevention are rapid, since occlusion of the left atrium (the part of the heart where clots accumulate) provides protection just as effectively as anticoagulant drugs, without the risk of bleeding.