New Surgical Technology Adds to Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation

Intraoperative ablation for atrial fibrillation has previously been limited to adjunctive therapy with coronary artery bypass grafting or concurrent valve repair. Long term results for this technique, over 95% of patients are in normal sinus rhythm at 3 year follow-up, have led surgeons at advanced centers such as the Cooper Heart Institute to pursue minimally invasive sole therapy options.

Under the direction of cardiovascular surgeons, Vincent Simonetti, M.D., and Steven Marra, M.D., Cooper has become the only center in the Delaware Valley to offer minimal access surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation. Utilizing minimally invasive techniques and a new technology for creating transmural lesions, the AtriCure System, skilled cardiovascular surgeons are able to apply bi-polar radiofrequency ablation for complete pulmonary vein isolation.

“Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who have failed several medical therapy regimes are appropriate candidates for this minimally invasive procedure,” says Lawrence Gessman, M.D., director of the Cooper Electrophysiology Laboratory. “In addition to curing the atrial fibrillation, the left atrial appendage is removed, minimizing the risk of future embolic CVA.”

For more information about surgical repair options for atrial fibrillation, or to refer a patient to Drs. Simonetti or Marra, please call (856) 342-2141. To contact Dr. Gessman, please call: (856) 342-2034.