REAL SCIENCE, REAL INNOVATION: STROKE

 

eople have described it as a "fluttering" in their chest.  Others have said that they didn't experience any symptoms prior to having a stroke.  Atrial fibrillation, or afib, an irregular heartbeat that is a leading cause of stroke which can be hard to detect, making treatment and prevention difficult.  Atrial fibrillation can be a scary diagnosis.  However, there is hope.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital physicians are leaders at treating atrial fibrillation.  They have a team of dedicated physicians who will tailor the treatment to fit the patient.  Washington University physicians pioneered the first successful procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, called the Cox maze procedure.  This procedure has been perfected to what is now known as the Cox maze III, considered the "gold standard" for effective surgical care of atrial fibrillation.  Additionally, Barnes-Jewish Hospital is at the forefront of creating minimally-invasive techniques such as catheter-based ablation to help treat atrial fibrillation.

There are warning signs that indicate you may be suffering from atrial fibrillation.  They include:

• Palpatations, a sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Light-headedness or feeling faint
• Weakness
• Lack of energy or shortness of breath with effort
• Chest pain