An estimated 2.7 million Americans currently have atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) is a condition where the electrical impulse that causes the heart to beat at a normal rhythm is overridden by chaotic signals causing it to beat in a disorganized, irregular manner. AFib originates in the atria—the upper part of the heart—and is the most common heart arrhythmia. Millions of Americans currently have this arrhythmia, and the American Heart Association estimates 12 million people will have atrial fibrillation by 2050.

Atrial fibrillation increases a person’s risk of stroke by 4–5 times and can lead to blood clots, heart failure or other heart-related conditions. Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas has the expertise to critically manage and alleviate—or in many cases—eliminate AFib in this particular patient population. Our goal is to partner with atrial fibrillation patients to help them overcome the heart arrhythmia’s negative effects and improve their quality of life.

Call 1.844.BSW.DOCS (1.844.279.3627) for an appointment

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Atrial fibrillation risk factors

Atrial fibrillation risk factors include:

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Ethnicity
  • Genetic
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Obesity
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension

To reduce your atrial fibrillation risk factors, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is the best defense.

Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine, quit smoking, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and manage your stress levels to reduce your chance of developing AFib.

Possible atrial fibrillation causes

  • Excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine
  • Recent operation
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Coronary artery disease (heart disease)
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Hypertension
  • Congenital heart defect
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, lung disease)
  • Thyroid disease
  • Viral infection
  • Sick sinus syndrome
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW)
  • Congenital predisposition
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Apple Watch detects woman’s atrial fibrillation

Technology has the potential to help us lead a healthier life, and that couldn't be more true for Elizabeth Turner, a North Texas woman who credits her Apple Watch with helping detect a potentially serious heart condition.

Watch Elizabeth's story

Diagnosing atrial fibrillation

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Atrial fibrillation is diagnosed by an electrophysiologist using one or more of the following tests:
  • Echocardiogram

    Echocardiogram

    Sound waves are utilized to produce a video image of the heart. This test is used to diagnose various structural abnormalities of the heart for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG OR EKG)

    Electrocardiogram (ECG OR EKG)

    An ECG or EKG records the electrical activity of your heart, which is vital information for patients with atrial fibrillation.

  • Event recorder

    Event recorder

    An event recorder is a portable device that typically records the AFib patient’s heartbeat while they experience symptoms and transmits the information to their doctor.

  • Holter monitor

    Holter monitor

    A portable device worn by patients under their clothing for continuous monitoring of their heart’s electrical activity. A Holter monitor is typically ordered for 24–72-hour periods.

Echocardiogram

Sound waves are utilized to produce a video image of the heart. This test is used to diagnose various structural abnormalities of the heart for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Electrocardiogram (ECG OR EKG)

An ECG or EKG records the electrical activity of your heart, which is vital information for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Event recorder

An event recorder is a portable device that typically records the AFib patient’s heartbeat while they experience symptoms and transmits the information to their doctor.

Holter monitor

A portable device worn by patients under their clothing for continuous monitoring of their heart’s electrical activity. A Holter monitor is typically ordered for 24–72-hour periods.

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How to treat atrial fibrillation with medication

Electrophysiologists use several medications to treat atrial fibrillation, including:

Rate-controlling medications

These are used in an effort to slow the heart rate down to a more normal level. Some examples of drug classes used to control the heart rate for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) are beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers and cardiac glycosides (ex: digoxin).

Rhythm controlling medications

These medications are prescribed to maintain a normal rhythm by preventing atrial fibrillation relapses. Rhythm-controlling medications, or antiarrhythmic drugs, are divided into four different drug classes—Common drugs used to control the rhythm are flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), amiodarone (Cordarone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), dronedarone (Multaq) and sotalol (Betapace).

Anticoagulation

Patients who experience atrial fibrillation are at high risk of developing a blood clot, and many will require medication to prevent clots from forming. AFib patients may be asked to take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or edoxaban (Savaysa). AFib patients may also be asked to take medications that inhibit platelet function, like aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta) or prasugrel (Effient).

Atrial fibrillation treatment procedures

​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Cardioversion

    Cardioversion

    Cardioversion is a non-invasive procedure during which an electrical shock is delivered to the heart. Doing so resets the heart and, most times, will restore a normal rhythm.

    Cardioversion does not cure atrial fibrillation, but is part of a treatment approach in many patients.

    This procedure is performed under sedation so that the patient doesn't feel or remember anything.

  • Convergent hybrid ablation

    Convergent hybrid ablation

    The convergent procedure is used to treat patients with both early and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

    The procedure is performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist using radiofrequency to block irregular electrical signals by creating scar tissue on the heart.

    Benefits of the minimally invasive convergent hybrid ablation include: 

    • A shorter hospital stay and faster recovery
    • Increased reduction in returning atrial fibrillation
    • A complete ablation on both the inside and outside of the heart
    • Decreased risk of stroke
  • Cryotherapy ablation (cryo)

    Cryotherapy ablation (cryo)

    Cryotherapy ablation (cryo) provides is a similar procedure to radiofrequency ablation except in the type of energy used. Instead of using RF (heat) energy, cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures applied through specialized catheters to alter the cardiac cell’s capacity to conduct electrical impulses.

    The latest technology for the treatment of paroxysmal AF—the cryoballoon—is an efficient approach in the treatment of AF and is associated with successful ablation and low complication rates.

    The Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas electrophysiology department was the leading research site in the United States for the cryoballoon and performed the first procedure in North Texas.

  • CT scan

    CT scan

    A CT scan provides invaluable, detailed information about the heart and renders 3D images that help us treat atrial fibrillation in Dallas.

  • Laser lead extraction

    Laser lead extraction

    A laser lead extraction is the removal of one or more leads from inside the heart that is connected to the implantable device.

    A lead may be removed for any of the following reasons:

    • Damage to the inside or outside of the lead
    • Large amounts of scar tissue forming at the tip of the lead
    • An infection at the site of the device and/or lead
    • Blockage of the vein by a clot or scar tissue

    The lead is extracted through the subclavian vein. A laser light is attached to a sheath to serve as a guide to the lead. Once there, the light will break up the scar tissue and the lead will be removed.

  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion therapy

    Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion therapy

    The left atrial appendage is the main source of blood clots in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.

    LAA occlusion is supported by research to significantly reduce a patient's risk of having a stroke. Closure methods include surgical and catheter-based approaches.

    One of these approaches is using the Watchman™ device. This quarter-sized device is inserted through a catheter and placed on the left side of the heart permanently sealing the LAA and preventing clots from entering the circulatory system.

    Watch video to learn more
  • Radiofrequency ablation

    Radiofrequency ablation

    Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a procedure that can cure many types of heart arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

    RF uses a low voltage, high-frequency electrical energy in many applications, including electrocautery. The electrophysiologist uses special catheters to deliver the energy to specific locations within the heart to provide curative interventions for AFib.

  • Surgical maze procedure

    Surgical maze procedure

    This procedure is performed in the operating room and requires one or more incisions.

    During this procedure, the surgeon will apply energy to the outer surface of the heart and pulmonary veins in an effort to eliminate the conduction pathways of AFib.

    Some patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive approach while others may necessitate surgical treatment here in our Dallas heart center.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a non-invasive procedure during which an electrical shock is delivered to the heart. Doing so resets the heart and, most times, will restore a normal rhythm.

Cardioversion does not cure atrial fibrillation, but is part of a treatment approach in many patients.

This procedure is performed under sedation so that the patient doesn't feel or remember anything.

Convergent hybrid ablation

The convergent procedure is used to treat patients with both early and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

The procedure is performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist using radiofrequency to block irregular electrical signals by creating scar tissue on the heart.

Benefits of the minimally invasive convergent hybrid ablation include: 

  • A shorter hospital stay and faster recovery
  • Increased reduction in returning atrial fibrillation
  • A complete ablation on both the inside and outside of the heart
  • Decreased risk of stroke

Cryotherapy ablation (cryo)

Cryotherapy ablation (cryo) provides is a similar procedure to radiofrequency ablation except in the type of energy used. Instead of using RF (heat) energy, cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures applied through specialized catheters to alter the cardiac cell’s capacity to conduct electrical impulses.

The latest technology for the treatment of paroxysmal AF—the cryoballoon—is an efficient approach in the treatment of AF and is associated with successful ablation and low complication rates.

The Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas electrophysiology department was the leading research site in the United States for the cryoballoon and performed the first procedure in North Texas.

CT scan

A CT scan provides invaluable, detailed information about the heart and renders 3D images that help us treat atrial fibrillation in Dallas.

Laser lead extraction

A laser lead extraction is the removal of one or more leads from inside the heart that is connected to the implantable device.

A lead may be removed for any of the following reasons:

  • Damage to the inside or outside of the lead
  • Large amounts of scar tissue forming at the tip of the lead
  • An infection at the site of the device and/or lead
  • Blockage of the vein by a clot or scar tissue

The lead is extracted through the subclavian vein. A laser light is attached to a sheath to serve as a guide to the lead. Once there, the light will break up the scar tissue and the lead will be removed.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion therapy

The left atrial appendage is the main source of blood clots in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.

LAA occlusion is supported by research to significantly reduce a patient's risk of having a stroke. Closure methods include surgical and catheter-based approaches.

One of these approaches is using the Watchman™ device. This quarter-sized device is inserted through a catheter and placed on the left side of the heart permanently sealing the LAA and preventing clots from entering the circulatory system.

Watch video to learn more

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a procedure that can cure many types of heart arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

RF uses a low voltage, high-frequency electrical energy in many applications, including electrocautery. The electrophysiologist uses special catheters to deliver the energy to specific locations within the heart to provide curative interventions for AFib.

Surgical maze procedure

This procedure is performed in the operating room and requires one or more incisions.

During this procedure, the surgeon will apply energy to the outer surface of the heart and pulmonary veins in an effort to eliminate the conduction pathways of AFib.

Some patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive approach while others may necessitate surgical treatment here in our Dallas heart center.