Patients with arrhythmias may experience palpitations, which may feel like skipped heart beats, fluttering or pounding in the chest. Arrhythmias may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, weakness and fatigue.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs when the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. This irregular electrical heart rhythm means blood isn't pumped completely out of the heart chambers, so it may pool and clot, which can cause a stroke.
For patients with atrial fibrillation that doesn’t respond to medication, SSM Heart Institute surgeons can use a minimally invasive Maze ablation procedure. This innovative procedure burns the heart tissue in carefully chosen locations to block the circuits causing the atrial fibrillation. The procedure creates a maze for the correct route for the electrical impulses. Forcing the heart to return to a normal rhythm relieves patients of common atrial fibrillation symptoms. The procedure helps patients feel better, reduces stroke risk, and reduces the need for continuous blood-thinning medications.