Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Comprehensive Management for Michigan's Patients

Understanding AFib

AFib is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. In AFib, the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers.

1. Stroke Prevention

Because blood can pool in the atria, clots may form. We use advanced anticoagulants (blood thinners) to significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

2. Rhythm Management

We aim to restore a normal heart rate using medications, cardioversion (resetting the rhythm), or catheter ablation.

Our Specialized Treatments

Medications: Beta-blockers and anti-arrhythmics to control heart rate.

Ablation: A minimally invasive procedure to block irregular electrical signals.

Cardioversion: A brief procedure to "reset" your heart back into a normal rhythm.

Pacemakers: Devices used to regulate the rhythm in specific chronic cases.

Specialized AFib Care in Birmingham & Rochester

Don't let an irregular rhythm increase your health risks. Consult with our electrophysiology experts.

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e blood and make it less prone to clotting. Warfarin is the anticoagulant now used for this purpose, and aspirin is the antiplatelet drug most often used. Long-term use of warfarin in patients with AF and other stroke risk factors can reduce stroke by 68 percent.

Physicians differ on the choice of drugs to prevent embolic stroke — stroke caused by a blood clot. It’s clear that warfarin is more effective against this type of stroke than aspirin. However, warfarin has more side effects than aspirin. Examples include potential bleeding problems or ulcer.

Patients at high risk for stroke should probably be treated with warfarin rather than aspirin unless there are clear reasons not to do so.

Aspirin is the standard treatment for patients at low risk for stroke and under 75 years of age.