Florida Hospital Best in Care - Spring 2010 - (Page 6)

Normal electrical pathways Abnormal electrical pathways Normal sinus rhythm Sinus (SA) node Atrial ﬁbrillation Atrioventricular (AV) node Rhythm of a Healthy Heart M New stereotaxis lab oﬀers treatment for irregular heartbeat ore than 2 million Americans experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness caused by atrial ﬁbrillation. The most common form of arrhythmia, atrial ﬁbrillation is when the two upper chambers of the heart quiver or “ﬁbrillate” causing irregular heartbeats, which can be rapid and increase the risk for stroke. Electrophysiologist George Monir, MD, says, “When the atrial ﬁbrillation doesn’t respond to an anti-arrhythmic medication, ablation is recommended.” With the introduction of a stereotaxis remote magnetic George Monir, MD, cardiac navigation system, ablations at electrophysiology Florida Hospital are performed using computer-controlled magnets positioned outside the body to precisely navigate catheters and wires throughout the heart. The tip of the catheter is guided to more than 100 locations in the heart chamber to create “maps” of the heart. Doctors then deliver energy through the catheter to the tiny areas of the heart muscle causing the abnormal heart rhythm, thus eliminating the irregular rhythm. Dr. Monir, along with Scott Pollak, MD, both directors of the Arrhythmia and Ablation Center at Florida Hospital, have seen the beneﬁts of this new way to treat heart arrhythmias in clinical trials. Computer-assisted navigation allows the doctor to focus on the patient and outcome rather than the mechanics of the procedure. Patients beneﬁt from a gentler procedure. Stereotaxis catheters are softer and more ﬂexible than conventional ablation catheters. More patients can eliminate or reduce their ﬁbrillation episodes. Scott Pollak, MD, “Stereotaxis allows me to reach cardiac electrophysiology locations of the heart previously difﬁcult to reach with manual techniques,” says Dr. Pollak. “The system is an additional advanced tool to treat complex arrhythmia, but of equal importance is the experience of the physician handling the system.” “We not only have extensive training to treat complex arrhythmia, but have explored stereotaxis for several years and are proud to now offer it to our patients,” says Dr. Monir. Do you know your numbers? High blood pressure and hypertension are dangerous and can lead to major health problems, including heart attack, if left untreated. But when treated, these conditions are very manageable. e problem is, too many people don’t know if they need treatment. Florida Hospital’s Centra Care urgent care clinics, in conjunction with Project Pressure, want to make it simple for you to “know your numbers.” Project Pressure’s goal is that everyone in Florida knows their blood pressure level. is year, take a step toward living a long and healthy life. Stop by any of Centra Care’s 20 Central Florida locations and get a free, quick and accurate blood pressure screening. Find the nearest location at centracare.org. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS, SAVE YOUR LIFE To ﬁnd out when Scott Pollak, MD, and George Monir, MD, will be in your neighborhood giving a FREE lecture on ablation, visit FloridaHospital.com/ events.aspx. ATTEND A FREE LECTURE HEALTHY 100 6 I tips CHOOSE HEART-HEALTHY SNACKS Just look to the “original” snack foods that come from the tree or vine— apples, grapes, oranges, watermelon or strawberries, which satisfy your sugar craving with healthy beneﬁts. The skill to heal. The spirit to care. http://www.centracare.org http://www.FloridaHospital.com/events.aspx http://www.FloridaHospital.com/events.aspx

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Florida Hospital Best in Care - Spring 2010

Florida Hospital Best in Care - Spring 2010
Contents
Rhythm of a Healthy Heart
Part Doctors. Part Pioneers.
How to Sleep Better
Control Your Seizures, Control Your Life
The Links Between Stretching and Stamina

Florida Hospital Best in Care - Spring 2010