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What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?
Atrial fibrillation – sometimes referred to as AFib or AF – is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).4 Watch this short video to learn more about AFib.
What happens during AFib?
During AFib, the upper chambers of the heart, known as the atria, beat rapidly or in an uncontrolled manner.5 Watch this video to see the difference between a heart in normal rhythm and a heart in AFib.
How does the heart work?
The purpose of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body to deliver a continuous supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the brain and other vital organs. The heart is a muscle, composed of four chambers: two upper chambers, called the atria, and two lower chambers, called the ventricles, each occupying both the right and left side of the heart.
The heart has an electrical system that coordinates the work of the heart chambers (heart rhythm) and controls the frequency of beats (heart rate). AFib is a condition that interrupts the normal flow of the electrical system, which is typically reflected on an EKG.5,6
- Lloyd-Jones, Donald M., et al. “Lifetime risk for development of atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Heart Study.” Circulation110.9 (2004):1042-1046.
- Carlos A Morillo et al. 2017. Atrial fibrillation: the current epidemic. Accessed August 2019.
- Hugh Calkins, Gerhard Hindricks, Ricardo Cappato, et al. 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter ablation and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. 2017.
- What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation? 2016. Accessed July 8, 2019.
- Johan E.P. Waktare, MB, ChB, MRCP, Atrial Fibrillation, AHA Journals.org.
- Pittman RN. Chapter 2 The Circulatory System and Oxygen Transport 2011. Accessed November 2019.
- Rienstra M, Lubitz SA, Mahida S, Magnani JW, Fontes JD et al. (2012) Symptoms and functional status of patients with atrial fibrillation: state of the art and future research opportunities. Circulation125 (23): 2933-2943.
THERMOCOOL® Catheters are approved for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, when used with CARTO® 3 Systems (excluding NAVISTAR® RMT THERMOCOOL®Catheter).
Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
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