Department of Rhythmology at Helios Heart Center Wuppertal is certified atrial fibrillation center
The Rhythmology Department headed by Dr. med. Armin Sause is the first clinic in the Bergisches Land region to be certified as an "Atrial Fibrillation Center" by the German Society of Cardiology. The certification requires very good personnel, equipment and organizational facilities.
Head physician Dr. Armin Sause, who with his team has already been recognized for ten years as a training center for special rhythmology, sees himself confirmed by the certification: "For years, we have been treating over 1,000 patients annually with a highly specialized team and state-of-the-art technology. We are pleased about this further recognition of our treatment quality".
As a branch of cardiology, rhythmology deals with the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. One of the most common forms is atrial fibrillation, which manifests itself in the form of palpitations. It can go unnoticed, but can also be accompanied by heart palpitations or even a marked lack of performance, a feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.
Around 1.8 million people in Germany are affected, with the likelihood of the disease increasing with age, which can sometimes lead to serious complications. "We now know that early treatment of atrial fibrillation helps prevent dangerous complications such as stroke, heart attack and heart failure. Patients treated early show improved survival rates," Dr. Sause explains.
Treatment of atrial fibrillation has two goals: Freedom from symptoms and prevention of complications. Cardiology diagnostics identify patients who need blood thinning to prevent stroke. In addition to lifestyle changes such as increased exercise and favorable dietary habits, certain medications such as the so-called antiarrhythmic drugs, as well as electrical therapies, can reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation.
In acute, persistent atrial fibrillation, electrical cardioversion helps restore normal sinus rhythm. To do this, an electrical shock is delivered to the heart during a short sleep. The patient then remains in the hospital for monitoring until the next morning. However, since this treatment has no effect on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation, further medication and electrical measures are often necessary.
In a procedure known as catheter ablation, special catheters are used to target sites in the heart that are primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Sause explains the procedure: "The site of origin of atrial fibrillation is often the left atrium of the heart, and here in particular the orifices of the pulmonary veins. Our goal is to isolate the electrical interference signals from the pulmonary veins and the surrounding tissue from the left atrium of the heart. The so-called pulmonary vein isolation (pulmonary vein isolation) is usually performed using radiofrequency ablation (obliteration by heat) or cryoablation (obliteration by cold). The procedure takes place in an artificial twilight sleep (analgesia) and lasts about 1-2 hours. Patients can be discharged one to two days after the procedure. We recommend physical rest for five days."
Compared to purely drug therapy, the chances of success with catheter ablation are significantly better. For example, after catheter ablation, about 75 percent of patients are free of atrial fibrillation for at least one year. For patients receiving drug therapy, the figure is about 40 percent.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation should be performed by experienced investigators in appropriately qualified centers to ensure safe and effective treatment. With its certification as an atrial fibrillation center, the rhythmology department at Herzzentrum Wuppertal was able to successfully demonstrate this qualification.
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More information about Helios University Hospital Wuppertal
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More information about Dr. med. Armin Sause
