Bangalore: Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a part of Parkway Pantai, successfully performed Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA), a novel therapy in the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. This method was used to treat the condition in a 67 year old Russian citizen.

Mr Vitalli Sedonov, 67 years, presented with complaints of recurrent palpitation. This was a noticeably rapid and irregular heartbeat. He was found to be suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. This condition occurs when the heart beats irregularly due to an electrical disturbance in the upper chambers of the heart. There are innumerable causes of atrial fibrillation. Coronary artery disease, chronic hypertension and valvular heart disease are the most common causes of Atrial Fibrillation.

Patients usually experience unpleasant palpitations or irregularity of the heartbeat along with mild chest discomfort (sensation of tightness) or pain, sense of the heart racing, light-headedness, mild shortness of breath and fatigue that limit the ability to exercise. Patients suffering from Atrial Fibrillation are at risk of developing stroke due to clot formation in the upper chamber of the heart due to sluggish blood flow.

Mr Vitalli had visited multiple cardiologists and was on various medications to control the heart rate.  Unfortunately, the medications did not provide any relief for his symptoms. At this stage, he consulted with the doctors at Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Richmond Road. He was then recommended a RFA procedure to treat this condition.

The operation took place in late December 2017 and lasted just about 2 hours. After just a day’s rest, Mr Vitalli was discharged. This short recovery period is an added advantage to this method. At present, Mr Vitalli is doing well and is completely devoid of Atrial Fibrillation.

Dr Yogesh Kothari, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Richmond Road commented on the case “Atrial Fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that can have serious implications on the patients’ health. Radio Frequency Ablation offers complete and permanent cure of this problem. It is a complex procedure which is completely safe if done by an experienced and skilled operator”

RFA involves isolation of the electric connection of the upper chambers from the lower chambers of the heart. Risks include perforation of the left atrial appendage or the posterior wall. There is also a chance of creating a connection between the heart and the food pipe, which can be fatal. In RFA procedure, the doctor introduces sheaths (electrical wires) into the left atrium through a small hole in the thigh and records the abnormal electric voltages and maps the left atrium voltages using 3D mapping technology. They then use radio frequency energy to isolate the four pulmonary veins from where usually the abnormal electric current flows.

This procedure is still fairly new; yet, three such cases have been successfully carried out at Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Richmond Road. The team of doctors here include senior electrophysiologists who are well versed in the treatment of such complex arrhythmias.

Shailaja Suresh, CEO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru added “Gleneagles Global Hospitals has a remarkable cardio program run by a highly skilled team of cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.  Our interventional cardiology team is up-to-date and qualified to perform the latest innovative procedures, helping patients who are not fit for conventional surgical procedures. They have a wealth of experience and expertise in all cardiac procedures. Our team is capable of handling the full spectrum of adult and paediatric heart related ailments and surgery.”