Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disturbance found in 2.2 million Americans of all ages.

“Even professional athletes have the disorder,” says Mills-Peninsula cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist Alan Schwartz, M.D. “It’s not considered life-threatening, but those with AF are at higher risk for stroke.”

AF happens when the heart’s electrical signals are thrown out of whack and can’t pump all blood entirely out of the chamber. This leaves some blood to pool and clot and causes a rapid and irregular heart rate.

A high-tech method using radiofrequency energy virtually erases AF with catheter ablation surgery to return the heart to a regular rhythm.

By inserting thin catheters through blood vessels in the groin, doctors in Mills-Peninsula’s Cath Lab can direct the energy to affected parts of the heart.

“We use catheters and a computer generated 3-D model of the heart chamber to determine where to deliver radiofrequency energy,” says Dr. Schwartz. “The mapping system can also identify abnormal electrical circuits causing heart rhythm disturbances so we can direct the catheter to that point and zap it.”

The burst of radiofrequency destroys the circuit or is used to create electrical barriers around irritable tissue.

Ablation surgery may be shocking to the heart but it’s a breeze for patients, says Schwartz.

“The stay is usually less than 24 hours and recovery is almost immediate. Because the results have been so successful, it largely has replaced open-heart surgery for most heart disturbances.”