The Convergent Procedure
The complete approach for atrial fibrillation Patients Faizel Osman
Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Coventry and Warwickshire University Trust Hospitals
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
What is the Convergent Procedure?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, caused by rapid and disorganised electrical signals that disrupt blood flow in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). Patients typically experience shortness of breath, chest palpitations and fainting. AF is also a leading cause of stroke.
A truly minimally invasive approach that combines the best of electrophysiology (EP) and cardiac surgery treatments to help restore normal heart rhythm for long time atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, including those with structural heart disease and an enlarged heart, those who have previously failed one or more other treatments, and patients who have suffered with AF for many years.
Why is AF difficult to treat? The majority of AF patients have structural heart disease, which is associated with an enlarged heart and is very challenging to treat effectively with traditional methods. Many of these patients have had continuous AF for more than one year, and they may have failed one or more catheterbased treatments, and currently take antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant medications.
Depiction of the ablation catheter and typical epicardial lesion set
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