Mayo Clinic's approach
Mayo Clinic Minute: Identifying and treating atrial fibrillation
Mayo Clinic electrophysiologist Fred Kusumoto, M.D., explains what happens in the heart to create atrial fibrillation and what can be done to fix it.
MODERATOR: This is a normal heartbeat. [HEART BEATING] Atrial fibrillation interrupts this regular beat.
FRED KUSUMOTO, M.D.: "In atrial fibrillation, instead of the atria squeezing in a normal regular fashion, the atria beat irregularly and chaotically."
MODERATOR: Dr. Fred Kusumoto is an electrophysiologist at Mayo Clinic.
FRED KUSUMOTO, M.D.: "In some cases people feel their heart palpitating or beating very, very fast or a flip-flop in their heart or chest area. Other times, people just notice that they're more short of breath when they walk upstairs."
MODERATOR: Dr. Kusumoto says atrial fibrillation decreases the heart's blood pumping efficiency and puts a patient at higher risk for blood clots, heart failure, and stroke. In some cases, atrial fibrillation can be corrected with medication or by administering a shock to a sedated patient's heart. In other instances, a procedure called catheter ablation may be used to scar tissue that's creating the erratic signals--[HEART BEATING]-- in the hopes of getting back to that normal beat.
Experience and expertise
Ablation therapy involves a wide range of complex procedures that require highly skilled physicians or surgeons. Mayo Clinic experts have extensive experience with these techniques. This depth of experience helps doctors provide exactly the care you need.
Collaboration
Mayo Clinic doctors trained in many specialties are trained in ablation therapy. They work as a team to care for people undergoing ablation therapy.
Advanced technology
People undergoing ablation therapy at Mayo Clinic benefit from Mayo's leading-edge treatment approach, including the latest in ablation methods and technology.
Expertise and rankings
Cardiac catheter team performs an ablation.
A Mayo Clinic doctor performs a cardiac ablation procedure in the Electrophysiology Laboratory.
At Mayo Clinic, experts in several specialties provide compassionate, whole-person care to people who might benefit from ablation therapy.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic's cardiovascular medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, hematology, oncology (medical), radiation oncology, and radiology departments' expertise and rankings.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
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Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals, or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.
Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.
Jan. 06, 2022