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What Types of Treatments are Available for Atrial Fibrillation or A-fib?
Atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk. Dr. Jorge Diaz, electrophysiologist, discusses how the Watchman device can benefit those with a-fib.
Featuring:
He completed his internship, residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Electrophysiology at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. Diaz is board certified in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.
Jorge Diaz, MD
Dr. Jorge O. Diaz is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Director of the Electrophysiology Lab at Central Florida Regional Hospital.He completed his internship, residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Electrophysiology at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. Diaz is board certified in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.
Transcription:
Adam Ragusea (Host): One of the leading causes of stroke is a blood clot. And it used to be that if you were at risk of that kind of thing, you’d have to be on blood thinners for the rest of your life. But there is a new high tech solution; a tiny device they put in your body once and only once and it stops clots from forming in your heart. No blood thinners. How does this thing work? Is it right for you? Let’s talk to Dr. Jorge Diaz, Electrophysiologist at Central Florida Regional Hospital.
This is Helmet of Health, the podcast from HCA-Central Florida. I’m Adam Ragusea. And Dr. Diaz, before we talk about these new devices; let’s talk about the problem that they are made to solve. The problem that until recently, was generally prevented only with blood thinners. People who have a heart problem called atrial fibrillation which results in these blood clots which cause the strokes.
Jorge Diaz, MD (Guest): Okay so, let’s start by defining what atrial fibrillation is. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm arising from the upper chambers of the heart. They heart has four chambers; two atria and two ventricles. When the atria beat in a disorganized fashion, they do not contract appropriately, blood doesn’t flow appropriately and tends to stay and clot.
Host: Right and a lot of those clots form in this thing called the left atrial appendage, which is this little appendix on the heart?
Dr. Diaz: Yes. And now, by means of left atrial appendage occlusion devices; we can actually insert some devices into the appendage and prevent strokes.
Host: And it prevents the stroke by just closing off that little appendage on the heart so that blood can’t get up there and clot.
Dr. Diaz: What you said is totally correct. So, that device will be deployed in the appendage and the appendage will be completely sealed. Therefore, there is no chance that clots can form at that location. The patient will be on blood thinners temporarily and after 45 days; there is no longer a need for anticoagulation. Only aspirin and Plavix for six months and ultimately, just aspirin.
Host: All right, blood thinners just temporarily and that’s it, none of the elevated risk of bleeding that comes with being on blood thinners permanently. So, people who have atrial fibrillation, who are at risk of this kind of stroke; if they were to have one of these devices implanted; what would that procedure be like for them?
Dr. Diaz: If the patient is a good candidate; he will be brought to the hospital on blood thinners where we will go through his right groin. Once the device is deployed and we confirm that the device is attached, the appendage is sealed and there is no risk of dislodgement; we will release the device. That procedure takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
Host: Wow, and like you said, you go in through the groin. This is not some big scary open heart surgery.
Dr. Diaz: Yes, it is an invasive procedure, not a surgical procedure. So, in theory, the patient will be back on his feet within 24 hours and can resume daily activities after 72 hours of light duty.
Host: And then after that temporary period of being on blood thinners they just lead a normal life?
Dr. Diaz: The live a normal life.
Host: All right. That’s remarkable. Thanks doc. Dr. Jorge Diaz is Head of Electrophysiology at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Thanks for listening to Helmet of Health, the podcast from HCA-Central Florida. Go to www.centralfloridaregional.com to get connected with Dr. Diaz or another provider. If you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels, that would warm our left atrial appendages. And be sure to check back soon for the next podcast.
Adam Ragusea (Host): One of the leading causes of stroke is a blood clot. And it used to be that if you were at risk of that kind of thing, you’d have to be on blood thinners for the rest of your life. But there is a new high tech solution; a tiny device they put in your body once and only once and it stops clots from forming in your heart. No blood thinners. How does this thing work? Is it right for you? Let’s talk to Dr. Jorge Diaz, Electrophysiologist at Central Florida Regional Hospital.
This is Helmet of Health, the podcast from HCA-Central Florida. I’m Adam Ragusea. And Dr. Diaz, before we talk about these new devices; let’s talk about the problem that they are made to solve. The problem that until recently, was generally prevented only with blood thinners. People who have a heart problem called atrial fibrillation which results in these blood clots which cause the strokes.
Jorge Diaz, MD (Guest): Okay so, let’s start by defining what atrial fibrillation is. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm arising from the upper chambers of the heart. They heart has four chambers; two atria and two ventricles. When the atria beat in a disorganized fashion, they do not contract appropriately, blood doesn’t flow appropriately and tends to stay and clot.
Host: Right and a lot of those clots form in this thing called the left atrial appendage, which is this little appendix on the heart?
Dr. Diaz: Yes. And now, by means of left atrial appendage occlusion devices; we can actually insert some devices into the appendage and prevent strokes.
Host: And it prevents the stroke by just closing off that little appendage on the heart so that blood can’t get up there and clot.
Dr. Diaz: What you said is totally correct. So, that device will be deployed in the appendage and the appendage will be completely sealed. Therefore, there is no chance that clots can form at that location. The patient will be on blood thinners temporarily and after 45 days; there is no longer a need for anticoagulation. Only aspirin and Plavix for six months and ultimately, just aspirin.
Host: All right, blood thinners just temporarily and that’s it, none of the elevated risk of bleeding that comes with being on blood thinners permanently. So, people who have atrial fibrillation, who are at risk of this kind of stroke; if they were to have one of these devices implanted; what would that procedure be like for them?
Dr. Diaz: If the patient is a good candidate; he will be brought to the hospital on blood thinners where we will go through his right groin. Once the device is deployed and we confirm that the device is attached, the appendage is sealed and there is no risk of dislodgement; we will release the device. That procedure takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
Host: Wow, and like you said, you go in through the groin. This is not some big scary open heart surgery.
Dr. Diaz: Yes, it is an invasive procedure, not a surgical procedure. So, in theory, the patient will be back on his feet within 24 hours and can resume daily activities after 72 hours of light duty.
Host: And then after that temporary period of being on blood thinners they just lead a normal life?
Dr. Diaz: The live a normal life.
Host: All right. That’s remarkable. Thanks doc. Dr. Jorge Diaz is Head of Electrophysiology at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Thanks for listening to Helmet of Health, the podcast from HCA-Central Florida. Go to www.centralfloridaregional.com to get connected with Dr. Diaz or another provider. If you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels, that would warm our left atrial appendages. And be sure to check back soon for the next podcast.