Atrial Arrhythmias
Tachycardia is the term referring to a fast heart rhythm and can be caused by a variety of different conditions. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are tachycardias arising from the upper chambers of the heart (atria).
- Atrial Fibrillation: rapid, chaotic, irregular rhythm that begins in the atria. The resulting heartbeat is usually fast and irregular.
- Atrial Flutter: rapid, circular impulses that flow through the atrium. The resulting heartbeat may vary in the rate and may be regular or irregular.
Our Arrhythmia physicians have extensive experience in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation and will evaluate the patient for the wide range of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options, including catheter ablation for atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter, and when appropriate, surgical therapies.
We have established an Atrial Fibrillation Evaluation Program for the comprehensive
care of patients with atrial fibrillation. We have a particular research interest in the mechanism of atrial fibrillation and the development of new catheter-based ablation techniques.
Active programs and those in development include clinical trials of new catheter ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation and use of robotics for atrial fibrillation ablation.