Center for Complex Arrhythmias

Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital's Center for Complex Arrhythmias was created to increase awareness about the treatable arrhythmias that afflict patients and to introduce the right patient to the right physician, so that available treatment options and advanced procedures can be offered. We specialize in the care and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, and we are recognized as leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmia using such advanced techniques as 3-D mapping and magnetic navigation. By bringing together our cardiovascular expertise with advanced medical technology, Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital offers innovative procedures that treat abnormal cardiac rhythms including atrial fibrillation, which is the most common arrhythmia and a leading cause of stroke.

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that starts in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Normally, the heart beats in a regular, steady rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, a problem with the heart's electrical system causes the atria to quiver, or fibrillate. The quivering upsets the normal rhythm between the atria and the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart and reduces the efficiency of the heart's pumping. The lower parts may beat fast and without a regular pattern.

What causes atrial fibrillation?

Conditions that damage or strain the heart commonly cause atrial fibrillation. These include:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease, especially diseases of the mitral valve
• Use of stimulants, including caffeine, nicotine, and decongestants
• Electrolyte or metabolic imbalances
• Heavy alcohol use, including binge drinking and longstanding heavy alcohol use

Treatment options for atrial fibrillation

Your best treatment depends on the cause, your symptoms, and your risk of stroke. There are a number of treatment options available, which include:

• Cardioversion
• Rhythm control medicines
• Rate control medicines
• Blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines
• Atrial-ventricular (AV) node ablation and pacemaker implantation
• Pulmonary vein isolation and left-atrial ablation
• Surgical modification of the left atrium

Advanced procedures for atrial fibrillation

We consider multiple factors when determining what treatment options may be appropriate based on your specific condition. At Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, we offer conventional as well as investigational therapies to complement conventional drug therapies, including:

• Catheter based approaches
• Minimally invasive surgical approaches
• 3-D maps of the heart's chambers or vessels can be created in real time to assist with identifying ablation locations
• Increased precision of catheter position within the atria when creating ablation lesions
• Millimeter control of catheter location and stability with the use of magnetic navigation systems
• Reduced fluoroscopic exposure