Atrial Fibrillation Center of Excellence

Experience unparalleled atrial fibrillation (AF) care at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute Atrial Fibrillation Center of Excellence. 

Our redesigned approach to AF care is focused on improving patient outcomes and enhancing the patient experience. We also provide comprehensive AF care by collaborating with other providers involved in our patients’ care, empowering patients through education and behavior modification, and streamlining the referral process.

Learn more about the Center of Excellence in our Outcomes Report. 

Our redesigned approach to atrial fibrillation care includes:

• Coordinated, patient-centered care: Our commitment to patient care extends beyond the traditional medical visit by providing ongoing education, utilizing advanced wearable technology for remote monitoring, and offering personalized recommendations for managing comorbidities (having multiple medical conditions) commonly associated with AF. This may include referrals to specialists for smoking cessation, sleep disorders and hypertension. 
• Guideline-recommended care: To ensure a smooth and consistent patient experience across our facilities, we’ve established a set of care pathways guided by clinical best practices. These pathways cover various stages of care for AF, including emergency department triage, post-operative management for cardiothoracic surgery, inpatient and outpatient management and referrals. 
• Innovative treatments: Our AF treatment offerings are among the most advanced in the country, utilizing cutting-edge techniques and tools such as radiofrequency and cryoballoon AF ablation, hybrid epicardial and endocardial AF ablation, left atrial appendage management, and novel AF ablation techniques developed through our clinical trial work.

Services:

CATHETER ABLATION (Cryoablation & Radiofrequency Ablation)

AF ablation is the best treatment for restoring sinus (normal rhythm) compared to other treatments, including medical therapy. Radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation are two of the most common techniques used to eliminate the triggers that start and maintain AF. Both techniques create small areas of scarring around the pulmonary veins and other sites of triggers to prevent abnormal electrical signals from starting AF.

HYBRID ABLATION

Hybrid AF ablation is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with persistent (continuous AF less than a year) and long standing persistent (continuous AF > 1 year) AF. Hybrid ablation combines catheter-based and minimally invasive surgical approach to target abnormal signals from both inside and outside the heart.

Special population of patients may be considered for this procedure are patients with previously failed catheter-based ablation, patients with congestive heart failure and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  We work as a multidisciplinary team with our Heart failure specialist, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy clinic, and Cardiothoracic surgeons to coordinate the care for this unique group of patients.

At a glance

The Atrial Fibrillation Center of Excellence is comprised of:

• A clinical care team with expertise in atrial fibrillation
• Standard care pathways
• A comprehensive care team
• Patient education platforms
• Electrophysiology lab coordination services
• Lifestyle modification assistance
• Referrals to specialty services to address common comorbidities, including sleep medicine, hypertension and diabetes management

Additional referral information:

• Learn about hybrid AF ablation therapy and when to refer a patient. 
• Not sure if you should refer a patient? Here’s some info to help.