Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

The Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute is the most comprehensive heart-surgery program in the area, with nationally recognized cardiac surgeons who treat the full spectrum of heart problems, including atrial fibrillation surgery.

Atrial fibrillation is a rapid and disorganized heartbeat that may cause everything from heart failure to stroke. It can often be treated with medications. But when medications are not an option or are ineffective, surgery may be considered.

Surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation may also be considered when there is a need to treat a coexisting heart condition, such as valve or coronary artery disease.

At the Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute, we specialize in the modified Maze procedure, which can treat the atrial fibrillation and restore the atria to a more normal size. During this procedure, a series of precise incisions are made in the right and left atria to interrupt the abnormal impulses and allow a return to a normal heartbeat.