Valley Hospital Medical Center is the first hospital in Las Vegas to perform a new procedure -- called microwave ablation -- to permanently correct a common heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF).

About 2 million Americans have AF, a condition that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart quiver and beat erratically. AF reduces the heart's pumping ability, so blood tends to pool in the atria and form dangerous clots that can cause strokes or blockages in other areas of the body.

New Technique Uses Microwave Technology
During microwave ablation, surgeons use a catheter equipped with a small microwave probe to burn lesions on the surface of the heart. These lesions disrupt abnormal electrical pulses and restore normal rhythm.

"This cutting-edge technology is a dramatic improvement over previous treatments, which include lifelong use of blood-thinning medications or surgery that involved stopping and opening the heart," says cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Demetri Mavroidis, MD, the first surgeon to perform the procedure in Las Vegas.

Currently, microwave ablation is only performed in conjunction with other heart procedures that require an open incision in the chest. Dr. Mavroidis says surgeons soon will be able to perform the procedure alone using minimally invasive techniques.

For more information on microwave ablation, click here.

Symptoms That Could Indicate Atrial Fibrillation

• A fluttery feeling in the heart
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106