Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia yet remains one of the most difficult to treat effectively. AF (also called A-Fib or afib) is recurrent, is associated with reduced quality of life and with risks of heart failure, stroke and death. In many cases, conventional treatments are not effective.
The AF Ablation Center offers access to the latest interventional therapies. We do hundreds of procedures a year. Ours is the most experienced center in Wisconsin and one of the most experienced in the world.
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and other complex arrhythmias.
Advanced anatomical and electrical arrhythmia mapping utilizing registration of Computed Tomography (CT) and fluoroscopic images integrated with 3-D electrophysiology mapping.
We are the only Center to have the CT/Fluoro image integration available in the the United States and we will continue to have it exclusively in the USA for another 1-2 years.
In addition, we have other currently available technologies and are participating in several ongoing trials testing new technologies including:
Sensei Robotic Catheter System, and St. Luke’s has the only one in Wisconsin. This FDA approved device is used for minimally invasive catheter-based heart procedures, the robotic arm and flexible catheter system enables physicians to maneuver into places in the heart unreachable by traditional methods. Read about it on the Aurora Health Care web site.
The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Center helps evaluate patients’ eligibility for ablative therapies that may eliminate AF or decrease the consequences of AF. We understand the symptoms you feel with your irregular heart beat; we know about your fatigue and anxiety. We know the risks you face with AF and we want to help reduce or eliminate these effects of atrial fibrillation.
Our physicians are also accomplished in the treatment of other cardiac rhythm disorders. We have all the electrophysiology services anyone could need including pacemaker and defibrillator implantations, follow-up and programming, and the newest antiarrhythmia medications and ablation therapies for all types of cardiac arrhythmias. Click here or go to the Milwaukee Journal online to read about how we helped a patient with ventricular tachycardia (VT).
From Richard, 2007: "When the doctor said I needed a Catheter Ablation procedure I became a 6ft. 2 inch chicken.... After reading about it on the internet, I decided that Dr. Sra was the best doctor to perform the procedure. Dr. Sra was very patient with me.... I am very glad I trusted Dr. Sra and his staff....
From Dan, 2006: "I opted for the ablation. I did not want to take meds for the rest of my life. The procedure was just as it was explained. Everyone was great. I was able to run again five days after the procedure. I did have some skipped beats right after the procedure but nothing like the afib episodes prior to the procedure. Those skipped beats have now subsided.... It is great to have my life back. I am so grateful for Dr. Sra and his staff!"
Cardiac image registration of the left atrium and pulmonary veins. Sra J, Ratnakumar S. Heart Rhythm 2008;5:609-617.(Click here to link to this article.)
Cardiac activation and motion propagation - next step in catheter navigation? Sra J. Heart Rhythm Editorial Commentary 2006;3:789-90. (Click here to link to this article.).)
Registration of 3D left atrial computed tomographic images with projection images obtained using fluoroscopy. Sra J, Krum D, Malloy A, Vass M, Belanger B, Soubelet E, Vaillant R, Akhtar M. Circulation 2005;112:3763-3768. (Click here to link to this article.)
AF VT VF SUMMIT:December 4-5, 2009, The Fairmont, Chicago, IL. Course Directors: J. Sra, MD, A. Natale, MD, D. Wilbur, MD. A 2 day international symposia for electrophysiologists and electrophysiology fellows. For program informtion go to www.afvtvfsummit.com or contact us.
Thanks for attending our recent ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY FOR PRACTICING PHYSICIANS: April 18, 2009, Intercontinental Hotel, Milwaukee, WI. A course for primary care physicians, internists and clinical cardiologist, and other health care practitioners.
