We Can Help with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a complex disease affecting five million men and women in the U.S., most of them over 60 years old. In fact, you have a one-in-four risk of developing atrial fibrillation in your lifetime. The earlier we diagnose and treat the disease, the more successful we are in helping patients experience longer, more enjoyable lives.

LEARN MORE

Have you or a family member been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation?

Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute uses a team approach that unites the skills of nationally recognized cardiac electrophysiologists, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. These specialists collaborate with your primary care physician to tailor atrial fibrillation treatment options to your unique needs. 

Atrial fibrillation treatments at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute include: 

• Medical management: Medications are often the first line of defense when treating atrial fibrillation. Drugs are not a cure for atrial fibrillation, but in many cases they help to make the symptoms less bothersome. 
• Catheter ablation: A nonsurgical treatment option that locates and destroys abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that cause atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to destroy the abnormal electrical pathways that cause atrial fibrillation, while cryoballoon ablation freezes the abnormal pathways. 
• Left atrial appendage closure: The left atrial appendage is a pocket-like section in the left atrium (upper chamber) of the heart that is often a source of blood clot formation for those with atrial fibrillation and may cause up to 90% of strokes due to atrial fibrillation. Closing the left atrial appendage can prevent blood clots that may cause a stroke. Treatment options that close the left atrial appendage include the Watchman procedure, which is minimally invasive. 
• Trans-thoracoscopic Maze (TT Maze) procedure: A minimally invasive procedure in which a cardiac surgeon uses special instruments to make small incisions on the sides of the chest to access the heart. The cardiac surgeon then creates scar patterns on the outside of the heart to disrupt (or focus) the irregular flow of electricity causing the atrial fibrillation. If atrial fibrillation persists, a cardiac electrophysiologist will then perform a catheter ablation. The TT Maze procedure is a “one-two punch” combination procedure to eliminate atrial fibrillation.
• Open heart surgery: The “classic” or “cut and sew” Maze procedure is performed through an open chest incision. Electrical blocks or barriers to prevent atrial fibrillation are created in the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart with the goal of eliminating atrial fibrillation. 

Atrial Fibrillation Patient Education Guide
Fill out the form to download your free Atrial Fibrillation Patient Education Guide.

Have a Nurse Contact Me
Fill out the form to have a nurse specializing in atrial fibrillation contact you by phone or email.

312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278) | heart.nm.org | Inquiries: BCVI_info@nm.org

All Rights Reserved. ©2018 by Northwestern Medicine® and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. 

Northwestern Medicine® is a trademark of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, used by Northwestern University.

Northwestern Medicine ® | 251 E Huron Street | Chicago, IL 60611 | nm.org

Locations

Whether you are experiencing symptoms that you do not understand, have already been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, or are looking for a second opinion, Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute offers comprehensive expertise to you and your loved ones at four convenient locations. 

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
 675 N. Saint Clair St.
 Galter Pavilion, Suite 19-100
 Chicago, IL 60611
312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278) 

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at
Lake Forest Hospital 
1000 North Westmoreland Road
Main Entrance
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.53.HEART (847.534.3278) 

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at
Central DuPage Hospital
25 N. Winfield Road
Winfield, IL 60190
630.232.0280

100% Privacy Guaranteed. Northwestern Medicine will not share, rent nor sell the information you provide. Please read the Privacy Policy for more information.

BLUHM CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at
 Delnor Hospital 
 300 Randall Road
 Geneva, IL 60134
630.232.0280

We are proud of our U.S. News & World Report cardiology and heart surgery program ranking – a reflection of the leading-edge services we offer and the results we achieve for our patients, their families and the region we serve. 

• Among the top 10 cardiology and heart surgery programs in the nation (#7) of 590 programs
• Highest ranked cardiology and heart surgery program in Illinois, and the highest ranked program in the region including Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and Iowa
• Achieved the highest available cardiology and heart surgery patient survival score (10 out of 10)