More than two million Americans suffer from Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a rapid, irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical signals from the atria (upper chambers of the heart). Normally, a steady rhythm of electrical signals makes the heart beat anywhere from 60-100 times per minute. In AF, the heart beats anywhere from 300-600 times per minute. As a result, the atria are unable to contract normally, causing the ventricles to also beat irregularly. AF’s heart-racing and inefficient pumping can prevent your heart from delivering adequate blood and oxygen to your body.
Although not life threatening, Atrial Fibrillation can lead to stroke or heart muscle damage. If you have AF, you are five times more likely than the general population to have a stroke.
AF’s electrical impulses typically come from the four pulmonary veins in the heart. Removing the erroneous electrical triggers eliminates or greatly reduces AF. At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, we use catheter ablation techniques in the pulmonary veins to stop AF. This new and exciting advance allows us to pinpoint the cause of AF, and then use radiofrequency energy to electrically disconnect the problem area from the heart. After the procedure is completed, the pulmonary veins continue to distribute oxygenated blood to the left atrium but no longer generate electrical impulses.
To find AF in the pulmonary veins, we use a lasso catheter, the first circular catheter capable of tracking the pulmonary veins’ circumference along with intracardiac ultrasound to guide the catheter and measure blood flow to veins. This equipment allows us to view the interior of the heart, and identify, diagnose, and assist in the treatment AF and other heart abnormalities and conditions.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Do you know the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease? Visit our Cardiovascular Disease and Procedure Animations to learn more.
Take our Heart Health Risk Assessment. At the end of the survey you will receive a free comprehensive report that indicates your specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease. You may print the report and bring it to your next doctor’s appointment. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is totally confidential. Click here.
FEATURED PHYSICIAN
Steven Kang, M.D.
Specialty:
Cardiovascular Disease, Board Certified
* Open, physician is currently accepting new patients
Electrophysiology
* Please contact the physician’s office to find out if the doctor is accepting new patients at this time
Hospital affiliation: Eden Medical Center, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center – Summit Campus, San Leandro Hospital
Education/ Training:
Medical education: George Washington University
Internship: George Washington University
Residency: George Washington University
Fellowship(s): Harbor-U.C.L.A. Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital
Special training: Cardiac electrophysiology
Professional interests: Arrhythmia ablation including atrial fibrillation ablation; Cardiac resynchronization therapy
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Breast Health I | Breast Health II | Orthopedic Onocology | Atrial Fibrillation | Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery | Joint Replacement Surgery | Patent Ductus Arteriosis | TomoTherapy | Liver Cancer | Lung Disease
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