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AFib Clinic at Boulder Heart

Evidence-Based, Highly-Specialized Care

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that impacts 1 in 5 individuals during their lifetime and accounts for 15-20% of strokes in the U.S. Fortunately, three out of four strokes caused by AFib can be prevented. More than 50% of patients with AFib do not have obvious symptoms. Because AFib is a progressive disease, early diagnosis and careful management of the condition is crucial.

An appointment with the AFib Clinic at Boulder Heart—located in the Anderson Medical Center—provides a centralized entry point into the only full-service cardiology program in Boulder County, providing everything from diagnostic tests to advanced treatments to cardiopulmonary rehab. Ensuring the best outcomes and quality of life is our team’s number one goal.

Boulder Heart also offers one of Colorado’s most sophisticated facilities for diagnosing and treating heartbeat irregularities. Our Electrophysiology (EP) Lab is equipped with advanced technologies such as an all-digital biplane fluoroscopy system, Carto 3D mapping system and intra-cardiac ultrasound. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation and cryo ablation are both available at Boulder Heart as forms of arrhythmia treatment.

To learn more about AFib or to make an appointment, please call 303-443-AFIB or email afib@bch.org. Boulder Heart is the only full-service cardiology program in Boulder County.

About the AFib Clinic

The AFib Clinic at Boulder Heart’s highly experienced and extensive team includes:

  • Electrophysiologists (cardiologists specializing in heart rhythm problems)
  • General cardiologists
  • Cardiothoracic surgeons
  • Specially trained nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses

Clinic Services Include:

  • Prompt and thorough evaluation
  • Extensive education for patients detailing how the disease develops, reviewing treatment options and promoting healthy lifestyle modifications and recommendations with medication management
  • Individualized, comprehensive care plans taking a patient from diagnosis through minimally invasive treatment into a successful return to an active life

BCH Lecture: Innovative Treatments for Atrial Fibrilation 10/25/22

What is AFib?

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AF or AFib, is an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

There are three types of atrial fibrillation, each affecting the heart’s timing, or electrical system. The three types of AFib, usually classified based on duration, are:

  • Paroxysmal (lasts less than 7 days)
  • Persistent (lasts more than 7 days or a cardioversion is needed)
  • Permanent (here to stay)

AFib can be dangerous because it increases the risk of stroke by nearly five-fold and makes a patient more prone to develop heart failure and other heart-related complications.

Since patients with AFib may also have diagnoses including hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure, coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and sleep disorders, the AFib Clinic partners with highly qualified specialists to optimize monitoring and provide the highest quality, holistic, patient-centered care.

AFib Symptoms

woman holding her heartMore than 50% of patients with AFib do not have symptoms. However, symptoms of atrial fibrillation can include:

  • Palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Chest discomfort

Technologies for Treatment of AFib

Our experts help restore your heart rhythm. Boulder Heart is committed to providing patients access to cutting-edge treatments including:

  • Advanced catheter ablation techniques: Ablation is selective elimination of tissue that causes dysrhythmias. Either radiofrequency (high frequency electrical energy) or cryo (freezing) can be used for this purpose. This is achieved by catheters (thin tubes with electrodes) that are inserted via the femoral veins in the groin and threaded to the heart.
  • Cox-Maze IV and hybrid ablation: The "gold standard" for surgical AFib treatment. Through small incisions and punctures in the chest, a surgeon uses radiofrequency or freezing to create scar tissue in the upper chambers of the heart. The scar tissue then interrupts the electrical signals causing AFib.
  • WATCHMAN device: The only FDA-approved implant proven to reduce stroke risk in people with AFib that is not caused by a heart valve problem
  • Micra® leadless pacemaker: The world’s smallest pacemaker. This device offers certain advantages over traditional pacemakers including no incision on the chest wall and avoidance of leads in the venous system.

Risk Factors for AFib

The following factors increase an individual's risk for developing AFib:

  • Age is greater than 40 years
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid disease
  • Lung disease
  • Sleep disorders
  • Alcohol use
  • Smoking
  • Over-exercise
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Congestive heart failure

At the initial visit, the AFib Clinic team will emphasize lifestyle considerations to reduce the risk of recurrent AFib. This may also increase the success rate of our interventions.

AFib Clinic Team

  • Maria Anderson, M.D.: Board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist, with fellowship training in Advanced Ablation and Devices. She is also board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine.
  • Oussama Lawand, MD, FHRS: Board-certified in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, with extensive experience in ablation of complex arrhythmias and cardiac rhythm device implantation.

  • Srinivas Iyengar, M.D.: One of Colorado's most experienced specialists in WATCHMAN, an innovative implant that reduces stroke risk in people with AFib that’s not caused by a heart valve problem.

  • Bryan Mahan, D.O.: One of a handful of heart surgeons in Colorado specializing hybrid ablation for difficult to treat AFib.

Schedule an Appointment Today

To learn more about AFib or to schedule a consultation, please call 303-443-AFIB or email afib@bch.org.

The AFib Clinic at Boulder Heart model is based on the recommendations and criteria previously outlined by the American College of Cardiology for designated AFib Centers of Excellence. This model is utilized by several institutions across the U.S. and is promoted by Heart Rhythm Society to support the best possible care for patients with AFib.

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