University Hospital Galway has become the first public hospital in the country to employ the ‘convergent procedure’, a new approach for treating chronic atrial fibrillation.

The ‘convergent procedure’ is a collaborative effort between a cardiac surgeon and an electrophysiologist to effectively treat patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. The procedure uses radiofrequency to block irregular electrical signals by producing lesions, or scar tissue, on the heart.

Atrial fibrillation affects more than 1-2% of the population with increasing incidence in the over 65s and, if left untreated, can lead to blood clots, stoke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

Commenting Prof Alan Soo, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon stated: “While medication or catheter ablation can successfully treat atrial fibrillation, some patients’ symptoms recur or worsen. Now with the convergent procedure, such patients have another treatment option allowing for minimal discomfort, lower risk of complications, faster recovery time and a shorter hospital stay.

“This minimally invasive procedure is a game changer for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and we are delighted to be the first public hospital in Ireland to offer this surgical procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation.”

The procedure is performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon and a cardiac electrophysiologist, whereby radiofrequency energy is used to make ablations, or small lesions/burns on the heart that will effectively block the irregular electrical signals or heartbeat. It is one of the most effective surgical techniques in treating patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Galway resident, Sean Rankin was the first patient to undergo the convergent procedure, which was carried out by Prof Soo, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr Stephen Tuohy, consultant cardiac electrophysiologist at University Hospital Galway.