St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital

Non-Surgical Arrhythmia Treatment

March 3, 2004 2:00 PM EST (19:00 UTC)

(NEW YORK, February 9, 2004) - The American Heart Association estimates that about two million Americans suffer from the most common form of heart arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AFib), which also is responsible for an estimated 70,000 strokes in the United States each year. Most AFib patients are treated with blood thinners, which unfortunately put patients at risk of serious bleeding if they fall or bruise themselves. Those treated through surgery face the typical surgical risks of complications and even death. Chronic medical therapy, the mainstay of AFib treatment, is often ineffective or hazardous.

Afib sufferers who are wary of medications or surgery can view a revolutionary, non-surgical, intravenous catheter technique known as radiofrequency ablation therapy, now being performed to treat AFib, via a live Webcast from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, on March 3, from 2pm to 3pm. The live Webcast is free and can be viewed at www.slp3d.com.

Jonathan S. Steinberg, MD, an electrophysiologist and chief of cardiology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital will perform the procedure. "Ablation therapy using radiofrequency energy successfully cures patients with atrial fibrillation and enables people who would have previously been placed on drugs for life to be completely off medical therapy after the procedure," said Dr. Steinberg. "Atrial fibrillation is particularly prevalent among the elderly or those with cardiovascular disease. However, it can also be a troubling problem for younger patients without heart disease."

AFib affects approximately two percent of the adult population and the risk of stroke in these patients makes the disease and its aftermath potentially devastating. Symptoms include palpitations, very rapid heart rate, weakness and dizziness.

Catheter ablation techniques have been designed and successfully applied to a variety of patients with AFib targeting the pulmonary vein musculature, the frequent source of irregular heart beats. Two catheters are used; a mapping catheter identifies the source of AFib and the ablation catheter delivers the radiofrequency energy that zaps it until the electrical impulses are completely disconnected.

"This is a revolutionary advance in atrial fibrillation therapy," said Dr. Steinberg. "Ablation can be achieved in about 99 percent of targeted veins, and when successful, will relieve patients of heart rhythm problems without having to undergo extensive heart surgery. The ablation procedure has a small risk, about two percent. Fortunately, serious complications are infrequent due to advances in radiofrequency energy delivery and targeting."

"Most people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are usually advised to go on cardiac medications, which they would likely take for the rest of their lives. For many, the cost of heart pills over a lifetime can add up to a small fortune," said Dr. Steinberg. "This new mode of treatment is effective in achieving a complete cure and will likely be cost-effective and safer compared to previous types of therapy."

Dr. Steinberg has been the chief of the division of cardiology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital since 1996 and the director of the hospital's Arrhythmia Service since 1991. He also serves as professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.