National Alliance of Integrated Afib Centers: The Next Level of Afib Treatment
May 12, 2014
- Summary: EP Lab Digest article, National Alliance of Integrated Afib Centers: The Next Level of Afib Treatment, explores a new alliance that is changing how afib is treated
- Reading time: 6–8 minutes (including EP Lab Digest article)
National Alliance of Integrated Afib Centers: The Next Level of Afib Treatment, by StopAfib.org founder and CEO Mellanie True Hills, was published in the May issue of EP Lab Digest. This article explores an intriguing new alliance of integrated afib centers in which electrophysiologists and surgeons collaborate to find the optimal treatment for afib patients. This alliance is focused on identifying best practices and creating protocols that will continually raise the bar in afib treatment.
“NAIAC is changing how we treat afib,” said Jonathan Philpott, MD, the first president of NAIAC and a cardiothoracic surgeon at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. “With combined resources and shared expertise, we are establishing the next level of afib treatment. Together, we are now able to offer patients all of their treatment options, and by working together, improve the quality of life for our patients with afib.”
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect for afib patients is how this alliance came to be. Following a very stressful heart transplant procedure, Dr. Philpott experienced afib himself for the very first time. He realized just how vulnerable afib patients can feel when confronted with the challenge of finding surgeons and EPs that they can trust. Unlike other heart care, few afib practitioners thoroughly track their results, so he was confused over just what to believe. Dr. Philpott discussed with colleagues who also treat afib the notion of a collaborative effort among healthcare facilities to track data and establish practice standards and protocols for afib treatment.
This new national alliance includes StopAfib.org and these five healthcare facilities:
- Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center, Norfolk, Virginia
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California
- St. Helena Arrhythmia Center, Napa Valley, California
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Orlando Health Heart Institute, Orlando, Florida
The article was written for a healthcare professional audience, but contains important insights for afib patients, too.
To read the article, access it in either of these two ways:
- Online at National Alliance of Integrated Afib Centers: The Next Level of Afib Treatment — EP Lab Digest, May, 2014 (you can click on the photos in the article to enlarge them to see the details)
- Download the PDF reprint of the article below