Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
VIDEO: What Should I Expect After an Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Procedure?
Cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Darryl Wells talks about judging success of your ablation, why it’s difficult to predict which patients will be completely cured after one ablation procedure and why some require two procedures, safety and the appropriate age range for patients to receive the ablation procedure. (3:17)
Published by Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Return to Instructional A-Fib Videos and Animations
VIDEO: The Hybrid Maze/Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation for Persistent A-Fib
For persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, the Hybrid Maze/Ablation (also called the Hybrid Convergent Procedure) combines the complementary efforts of both the cardiothoracic surgeon and the cardiac electrophysiologist. The surgeon works on the outside the heart and the EP on the inside of the heart to eliminate the Atrial Fibrillation signals.
In this video, two cardiac EPs and a cardiothoracic surgeon describe the advantages, safety and effectiveness of the Hybrid approach and who is a good candidate. Includes animation and on-camera interviews.
Published by Tenet Heart & Vascular Network. Length 4:30.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Updated Video: Zio Patch Single-Use Ambulatory Cardiac Monitor
The Zio® Patch by iRhythm is an interesting advancement in single-use ambulatory heart monitors. It looks like a big band-aid! After use, you return it to your doctor for downloading of the data.
My first-hand experience: I wore one awhile back, after a prostate exam when my heart appeared to briefly be in A-Fib. As a followup, my cardiologist had me wear a Zio® Patch for two weeks. Result: no A-Fib! It turned out to be a one-time occurrence brought on by the medical test.
Updated Video: Zio® XT Patch
We’ve posted an updated video of the the Zio® XT Patch (iRhythm):
Description: The Zio® Patch cardiac monitor (iRhythm) looks similar to a 2-by-5-inch adhesive bandage and sticks to a patient’s chest.
In the video, Electrophysiologists, Dr Parri Dominic and Dr Ryan Jones of LSU Health Sciences Center, talk about this single-use ambulatory, continuously cardiac monitor that records for up to 14 days. No need to removal during exercise, sleeping or bathing. (2:04 min.) Posted by University Health News Network. Go to video->
New Video: The Maze Open-Heart Surgery From The Cleveland Clinic
In a new video we’ve added to our library, cardiac surgeon Edward Soltesz, MD, discusses who is a good candidate for the Maze surgical-based treatment for Atrial Fibrillation.
The full Maze open-heart surgery is typically performed in conjunction with surgery to correct another heart condition such as valve disease or coronary disease but can also be performed as a standalone treatment.
Interviews, animation, illustrations and surgical footage. (3:19) Produced and posted by the Cleveland Clinic. Go to video->
Related Videos: Mini-Maze Surgery
You may also be interested in our videos about the Mini-Maze:
• Mini-Maze Ablation for Persistent A-Fib: With Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Dipin Gupta
• In-Depth: Mini-Maze Surgery: Inside the O.R. with Dr. William Harris, Cardiovascular Surgeon.
A-Fib Library of Videos and Animations
We have carefully selected the A-Fib-related videos in our Video Library. They have been selected for the reader who learns visually through motion graphics, audio, and personal interviews.
Our collection of short videos are organized loosely into three levels: introductory/basic, intermediate and in-depth/advanced. Click to browse our video library.
Video: What is the Upright Tilt Table Test?
Do you experience dizziness or fainting spells? The upright tilt table test is a simple and effective way for collect important data for a diagnosis. In this short video, Natalie Zalmanova, NYCVA physician assistant, explains the steps of the tilt table test. With footage of in-progress test. (1:15 min.) Posted by New York Cardiovascular Associates on Oct 19, 2012.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Return to Instructional A-Fib Videos and Animations
Video: The Zio® Patch (iRhythm) Single-Use Ambulatory Cardiac Monitor
The Zio® Patch cardiac monitor (iRhythm) looks similar to a 2-by-5-inch adhesive bandage and sticks to a patient’s chest. Electrophysiologists, Dr Parri Dominic and Dr Ryan Jones of LSU Health Sciences Center, talk about this single-use ambulatory, continuously cardiac monitor that records for up to 14 days. No need to removal during exercise, sleeping or bathing. (2:04 min.)
Posted by University Health News Network, Sept 25, 2017.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Tuesday, February 20, 2018
VIDEO: A-Fib Best Treated by Changes to Diet and Lifestyle Says Dr. John Mandrola
Dr. John Mandrola, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist, Louisville, KY, on the impact of lifestyle factors on patients with atrial fibrillation; how A-Fib can be a sign of metabolic risk factors like obesity, poor diet, sleep apnea, alcohol intake, and lack of exercise; and how managing these risk factors can reduce the risk of stroke, and make a significant impact on the patient’s heart rhythm and overall health. (5:29)
Posted by Dr. John McDougall; Interview from McDougall Advanced Study Weekend in Santa Rosa CA, 2016.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Return to Instructional A-Fib Videos and Animations
VIDEO: The Full Maze Open-Heart Surgery
The Maze procedure open-heart surgery (full Maze) is typically performed in conjunction with surgery to correct another heart condition such as valve disease or coronary disease but can also be performed as a stand-alone treatment.
Cardiac surgeon Edward Soltesz, MD, discusses who is a good candidate for the surgical-based treatment of atrial fibrillation. (Note: He also segues into discussing the Mini-Maze procedure without identifying it by name.) Animation, illustrations and surgical footage. (3:19) Produced and posted by the Cleveland Clinic.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Thursday, March 14, 2019
More FREE ‘Learn the Heart’ ECG Online Review Courses
Recently I posted about a FREE online course ‘ECG Basics‘ at Healio/LearnTheHeart.com designed to expand your understanding of Electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) (see our description page).
More ‘Learn the Heart’ ECG Review Courses
This week I expanded the list of Healio ECG short courses that may be of interest to Atrial Fibrillation patients. Each includes examples of 12-lead ECGs and, where appropriate, specific criteria. Check out the following:
Illustration: Healio ‘Atrial Fibrillation ECG Review‘
• Atrial Fibrillation ECG Review‘
• Atrial Flutter ECG Review
• Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) ECG Review
• Left Atrial Enlargement (LAE) ECG Review
• Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) ECG Review
ECG Quizzes, Too
You can also challenge yourself with the Beginner ECG Quiz featuring detailed answers and links to pertinent explanation pages. Or test your overall knowledge of Atrial Fibrillation with a multiple choice Atrial Fibrillation Quiz.
Steve’s Brief Overview: The EKG Signal
If you want just a brief overview of the ECG waveform signal and how to “read” an ECG tracing, go to my report, Understanding the EKG Signal.
VIDEO: RF Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation—From Start to Finish With Dr. Robert Fishel
Join Dr. Robert S. Fishel in the EP lab for a full RF catheter ablation procedure for Atrial Fibrillation. In a conversational manner, he talks the viewers through each step during an in-progress catheter ablation.
He discusses use of x-ray, protection of the esophagus, anticoagulation, and various catheters including circular mapping catheter with force touch. He describes pulmonary view potentials and the various video screens of a beating heart displaying 3-D mapping information. (1 hour) Dr. Robert S. Fishel is Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at JFK Medical Center Atlantis, FL. (Link updated 1-15-2018)
NOTE: In Jan. 2014, Steve joined Dr. Fishel in the EP Lab while in Florida for the 2014 BAFS. See A-Fib Alerts: January issue for photos of Steve in scrubs!
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Thursday, January 18, 2018
