BROWNS MILLS – Deborah Heart and Lung Center is recognizing September as Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart arrhythmia, causing an irregular, often rapid, heart rate triggered by chaotic electrical signals. According to the CDC between 2.7 and 6.1 million people in the United States have AFib, and this number is expected to increase as the population ages. If left untreated, AFib can be fatal.
Deborah has been recognized for having the most experienced robotic ablation practice on the East Coast. Members of the facility recently took part in a presentation which was timed with Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, and to raise awareness of patients following up with their symptoms to help prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.
The facility is the only specialty heart, lung, and vascular hospital, and an Alliance Partner of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute – treats AFib with sophisticated cardiac catheter ablation, also called radio frequency ablation.
Patients undergo a minimally-invasive procedure that uses a catheter navigated through the blood vessels and into the heart. The catheter then delivers energy to precise parts of the heart muscle, normalizing the electrical signals and returning the heart to normal healthy rhythm.
Doctors Raffaele Corbisiero, Pedram Kazemian, and Bernard Hynes took part in the celebration of Deborah’s 2,000th robotic ablation procedure. This significant milestone makes Deborah the leading provider of robotic ablations as well, Electrophysiology Department Chair Dr. Corbisiero himself has achieved a personal milestone of 1,000 procedures.
Dr. Corbisiero said, “cardiac ablation procedures provide lasting relief to patients with debilitating heart arrhythmias. With robotic technology, we’re able to provide our patients with better, safer, outcomes.”
As one of only 100 hospitals in the world with the Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation system, Dr. Corbisiero is confident that the Hospital provides a minimally-invasive treatment with unsurpassed safety.
“Robotic ablation allows for safer and more effective cardiac ablation procedures, including reduced risks of complications like perforation of the heart tissue,” Dr. Corbisiero said.
“Though patients receive treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition, they undergo a short procedure time and a fast recovery time, so they can return to normal activities within a few days,” Dr. Kazemian said.
Dr. Kazemian, who is a world leader in pioneering the use of fluoroless – or zero fluoroscopy – robotic A-fib ablation, added, “this complex technique is of great safety benefit to our patients by eliminating radiation exposure.”
Dr. Corbisiero said, “we are very proud of our procedural milestones. Our patients are not numbers to us, but by performing 2,000 ablations we have demonstrated a cumulative achievement and expert experience that allows us to use this technology to treat some of the sickest patients, many of whom would not be candidates for traditional treatments.”
The specialists at Deborah urge anyone who has symptoms of AFib – shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and chest pain or discomfort – to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Dr. Hynes said, “we’re taking this opportunity during Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month to remind everyone to take their signs and symptoms seriously. If your heart is not pumping effectively due to an irregular heart rate, you could face serious health problems.”
For more information, visit DemandDeborah.org
