Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. The two upper chambers of the heart quiver rather than squeeze the blood to the lower chambers in a normal pattern. This may cause a flip-flopping sensation in the chest, but many people with AFib experience no symptoms at all. AFib may be dangerous because the heart is not filling with blood as it should. This can cause clots to form, which increase the risk of stroke or heart failure. AFib can be controlled, and with treatment, most people lead normal lives.

Many treatment options are available for atrial fibrillation. Your doctor may find an underlying condition causing your AFib and begin treating that condition. Your doctor may recommend an electric shock (cardioversion) or medication to restore a normal heart rhythm. There are also surgical procedures available.

For those that live with chronic AFib, a major complication is an increased risk of stroke. To reduce this risk, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner such as Coumadin (warfarin), or other Coumadin-like blood thinners. Some individuals aren’t good candidates for this treatment. Aultman’s Specialized Heart & Valve Center will soon begin offering an exciting new minimally invasive non-surgical procedure for these individuals called the Watchman device, which decreases this risk of stroke without the need of blood thinners for the rest their lives.

The Watchman device is implanted via catheter through a small incision. It has been approved for AFib patients whose arrhythmia is not caused by a heart valve problem, and who need an alternative to using blood thinners.  The device is implanted in the left atrial appendage, an area of the heart where blood may pool and form a clot. The Watchman device closes off this area, keeping the blood from pooling and clotting, reducing your risk for stroke.

The Specialized Heart & Valve Center is able to treat eligible AFib patients who live in Stark County and the surrounding areas without sending them to Cleveland, Akron or Pittsburgh. The team includes an interventional cardiologist, cardiac surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists and a cardiac anesthesiologist. By working together, these medical professionals from different specialties pool their combined expertise to offer a collaborative, comprehensive approach to helping people heal and recover from heart and vascular disease. Their coordinated efforts will continue to create positive outcomes in this rapidly evolving field of medicine.

Aultman’s Specialized Heart & Valve Center is now screening patients for eligibility for the Watchman implant and will begin scheduling procedures in November 2017. For more information on the Aultman Specialized Heart & Valve Center, please call 330-454-8076.