Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)

Do you have atrial fibrillation (A-fib)?

Dr. John A. Johnkoski is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Aspirus Heart & Vascular Institute, and one of fewer than 50 physicians in the country that perform thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common of all cardiac arrhythmias, affecting an estimated 2.5 million Americans. Although atrial fibrillation is not usually life-threatening, it can lead to serious complications. 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, treatment can seem complex and confusing. In many cases, common treatments for atrial fibrillation will reduce or eliminate symptoms for a period of time, but "breakthrough" episodes can make a patient feel very anxious and uneasy about their long-term health and comfort.

Atrial fibrillation can lead to serous complications. Patients with atrial fibrillation are FIVE times more likely of having a stroke than patients without Afib.   Afib patients are at a higher risk of developing congestive heart failure, have a three times higher risk of hospitalization and are twice as likely to die of sudden cardiac death.

MAZE surgery has become an increasingly popular treatment option for individuals with atrial fibrillation.  This procedure offers the prospect of a permanent cure for individuals with certain types of A-fib.  The Aspirus Heart and Vascular Institute is one of a handful of cardiac centers in the United States specializing in the MAZE surgical approach to treat atrial fibrillation, with a 80-90% success rate of curing A-fib with a single surgical procedure.

The Atrial Fibrillation Clinic at the Aspirus Heart and Vascular Institute offers comprehensive care for patients with atrial arrhythmias. Caring staff can provide
you with information about all of the options available to treat your atrial fibrillation,
as well as coordinate physician consultations, medical tests, or procedures.