Millions of people suffer from atrial fibrillation (Afib), a condition defined by a chaotic heart rhythm. The atria (i.e. two upper chambers of the heart) flutter due to disorganized electrical signals. While a normal heart rate usually falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute, the atria “beat” up to 600 times per minute.

In mild cases, the symptoms are barely perceptible. In more severe cases, patients may experience chest pain, dizziness, and a persistent shortness of breath.

There are various forms of treatment recommended by doctors for resolving atrial fibrillation – or at least, managing the symptoms. These include medications, maze surgery, and electrical cardioversion. In this article, we’ll explain the main goals of treatment and describe the various paths toward Afib resolution.

Three Primary Goals Of Afib Treatment

The main goals of treating atrial fibrillation include reducing the rate of contractions, restoring a normal heart rhythm, and preventing stroke (a common complication in severe cases).

The first goal, rate control, focuses on the ventricles. Normally, electrical signals start in the sinoatrial node in the right atrium and spread across the surface of both atria. This causes them to contract and push blood into the ventricles. The electrical signals then converge on the atrioventricular node, where they pause while the ventricles fill with blood. Once the lower chambers are full, the signals leave the atrioventricular node and spread across their surface. The lower chambers contract and push blood onward.

With Afib, the erratic electrical signals cause the ventricles to contract too quickly, before they fill sufficiently with blood. One of the goals of treatment is to prevent this from occurring.

The second goal, restoring a normal heart rhythm, is to encourage the four chambers to work together in order to pump blood effectively throughout the body.

The third goal involves stroke prevention. Because the atria flutter rather than produce full contractions, a small portion of blood remains within them. This blood can pool and clot. If a clot leaves the left atrium, it may travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Medications To Control Afib Symptoms

There are several medications that can be prescribed to help control symptoms related to atrial fibrillation. For example, anticoagulants can be used to help prevent the patient’s blood from clotting. These medications usually come in the form of warfarin or heparin.

Anti-arrhythmia drugs and beta-blockers can also be prescribed. Both work toward the same end through different means. The former seeks to help regulate the patient’s heart rhythm while the latter (along with calcium channel blockers) slow the patient’s heart rate.

The Maze Procedure

If medications are unable to reduce the patient’s symptoms, doctors will often suggest maze surgery. This procedure was used sparingly in the past because it meant undergoing invasive open heart surgery. Today, minimally invasive methods are used to avoid opening the patient’s chest. With a few small incisions on both sides of the chest, the surgeon can effectively cure atrial fibrillation.

This is accomplished by using an ablation device to create lesions across the surface of the left and right atria. When the lesions heal, they produce scar tissue, which is incapable of conducting an electrical current. This allows the surgeon to design a maze through which the chaotic electrical signals are guided.

The success rate of minimally invasive atrial maze surgery for curing Afib has resulted in widespread use of the technique. In the past, because the procedure was done through open heart surgery, it was only an option when the patient was already scheduled for a concurrent operation. Today, things have changed. Minimally invasive techniques have made it possible for patients to undergo maze surgery as a standalone operation.

As always, speak with your physician about the treatment options available to you. The Maze procedure may be a viable route, depending on your health and the severity of your symptoms.

Author Bio: Finding the right doctor for atrial fibrillation is crucial. Visit a specialist at http://www.cvtsa.com for proper diagnosis and treatment

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: atrial fibrillation, maze procedure, minimally invasive techniques, atrial maze procedure, heart