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Treating Irregular Heartbeats
at Halifax Health Heart Center

People who experience a type of irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation now have a new treatment option: a procedure called atrial fibrillation ablation. Recently, Hanscy Seide, MD, performed Volusia and Flagler counties’ first of these procedures at Halifax Health Heart Center.

Atrial fibrillation ablation uses catheters to apply radiofrequency energy to the tissue of the atria — the upper chambers of the heart. This eliminates the tendency for the atria to rapidly contract, or fibrillate. Atrial fibrillation affects six percent of people older than 65. It increases the risk for stroke fivefold and is associated with heart failure. Traditional treatment of atrial fibrillation includes antiarrythmic drugs and anticoagulation, which can have adverse side effects.

“This groundbreaking ablation procedure is yet another example of the talent and technology offered at Halifax Health,” said Dr. Seide. “With more than 200,000 cases of atrial fibrillation diagnosed in the United States each year, this new treatment option will significantly improve the quality of life for countless patients in our region.”