SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A 75-year-old woman from Watson who has suffered with atrial fibrillation (AFib) since she was a teenager is the first patient in Illinois to receive a groundbreaking procedure performed by Dr. Bharath Rajagopalan of Prairie Cardiovascular.
Carolyn Burk said she has noticed no AFib symptoms, has experienced at least a 75% improvement in her health, and has been able to stop taking AFib medication since recently undergoing the innovative procedure for her irregular heartbeat.
“I feel this procedure has given me a new lease on life,” she said. “I was afraid I would have either a stroke or a major heart problem since heart conditions run in my family.”
Burk’s surgery could not have come at a better time. She has a monitor implanted in her chest to keep a close eye on her heart, which Dr. Rajagopalan’s team remotely observes. They immediately called her when the monitor alerted them of uncontrolled AFib episodes and multiple pauses of her heart. A few days later, she was in surgery.
AFib occurs when the heart’s electrical signals become erratic, causing the heart to beat extremely fast and irregular. Blood clots may form, leading to a stroke, or heart failure may occur. The condition is on the rise in the United States, with the American Heart Association reporting that affected individuals are five times more likely to have a stroke.
Dr. Rajagopalan noted Abbott’s Volt Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System is the latest technology using PFA – short, rapid pulses of electricity – to precisely map, target and destroy small portions of heart tissue contributing to the irregular heart rhythm. The traditional method of thermal ablation uses heat or extreme cold to destroy the problem tissue and risks damaging nearby healthy tissue and other vital organs. The Volt procedure also allows eligible patients to forgo general anesthesia and opt for sedation – using medications to relax and block pain while the patient remains comfortable for the surgery without the added risks of general anesthesia.
“I’m grateful I could perform this innovative procedure to help Carolyn feel better,” said Dr. Rajagopalan. “Our mission at Prairie Cardiovascular is to offer the latest cutting-edge technology right here in central Illinois to serve our patients and help them to live better lives.”
Burk praised Dr. Rajagopalan’s expertise and compassion.
“He listens and takes the time to explain everything,” Burk said. “He gave me hope.”
Her recent AFib surgery was not Burk’s first with Prairie Cardiovascular. She had a previous traditional ablation 20 years ago. She is hopeful the new procedure helps others.
“It will be great for anyone else who has this problem,” Burk said.