![]() ![]() This reduced electrical conduction between heart cells and ultimately led to AFib. In doing so, they found that expanded macrophages supported inflammation and scarring of the atria-or fibrosis. The researchers next examined a mouse model of AFib to understand more about the link between macrophages and AFib. They found macrophages expanded more than any other cell type among those with AFib compared to tissue from those without the condition. The corresponding study was published in Science.įor the study, the researchers first collected left atrial tissue from seven patients with AFib undergoing heart surgery and five people without the condition. ![]() “This research sheds light on what may be a common spur for the pathophysiological processes that engender the condition and, just as important, opens the door to new treatments.” Wes Ulm, a bioinformatic scientific resource analyst, and biomedical data specialist at the National Institutes of Health, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today. “Atrial fibrillation, despite its relatively high prevalence and incidence in the U.S., often puzzles clinicians and researchers in regard to its causative foundations for any given case,” Dr. Recently, researchers found that immune cells known as macrophages support inflammation and scarring in the atria, and that reducing macrophage activity reduces these effects. Understanding more about how specific cells in the atria function during AFib could help researchers develop treatment and prevention strategies for the condition. ![]() These immune cells help heart muscle cells with housekeeping functions, including waste removal, immunosurveillance, and scaffolding. The CDC predicts that 12.1 million people will have the condition in the United States by 2030.īeyond heart muscle cells, the atria consist of fibroblasts that form connective tissue, endothelial cells that form blood vessel linings, and immune cells. This can reduce cardiac performance and lead to complications, including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AFib was mentioned on 183,321 death certificates in 2019. To learn more about our approach to treating arrythmias and AFib, or to get a second opinion about your options, call us at 50.Atrial fibrillation (AFib) occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly, what may lead them to get out of sync with the two lower chambers of the heart - the ventricules. The WATCHMAN device for stroke risk reduction without blood thinners.If medicine and a healthier lifestyle haven’t controlled your arrhythmia, if you can’t take medicine to control it or if you have certain types of arrhythmia, your cardiologist may recommend a procedure to treat it. Our minimally invasive approaches to treating AFib and arrhythmia There are many factors that can out you at risk of irregular heartbeat, including:įor many patients, medication and/or lifestyle changes may be the best course of action. If you have symptoms of arrythmia, your doctor may order heart monitoring so you both can learn more about how your heart is functioning. Whether the heart is beating too fast or too slow, all arrhythmias have the potential to cause serious symptoms if left untreated. Common symptoms of AFib and other arrhythmias Both paroxysmal and persistent AFib may become more frequent and, over time, result in permanent AFib. Permanent atrial fibrillation: A condition in which a normal heart rhythm can’t be restored with treatment. It may stop on its own, or it can be stopped with treatment. ![]() Persistent atrial fibrillation: The abnormal heart rhythm continues for more than a week. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: The faulty electrical signals and rapid heart rate begin suddenly then stop on their own within about a week and usually in less than 24 hours. This results in a rapid, irregular heartbeat. It occurs when rapid, disorganized electrical signals cause the heart’s two upper chambers - the atria - to contract very fast and irregularly (fibrillate) and out of synch with the heart’s lower two chambers (ventricles). What is atrial fibrillation?Ītrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an abnormal heartbeat, also referred to as arrhythmia, cardiac catheter ablation may be right for you - particularly when medication to control it has been unsuccessful.Īt Northwest Regional Heart & Vascular, our highly skilled team of cardiovascular specialists have helped many patients correct the causes of their irregular heartbeats and return to healthy heart function and living. ![]()
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