John F. Norris, MD, FHRS

About

Dr. Norris is board-certified in both cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. He trained in Internal Medicine at Temple University, Cardiology at Penn State University, and Cardiac Electrophysiology at Indiana University prior to staffing the catheter ablation laboratory at The Ohio State University. A practicing electrophysiologist for more than 15 years, he has helped thousands of patients live longer, productive, fulfilling lives, and earning their physicians' trust in the process.

Dr. Norris is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society, which offers fellowship status to community-leading electrophysiologists. Dr. Norris is on the cardiac electrophysiology staff at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and at HCA Largo Medical Center in Largo, FL.

Atrial Fibrillation Procedures

• Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
• Pulmonary Vein Isolation
• Complex Fractionated Electrogram (CFAE) Mapping
• CONVERGENT (Hybrid) epicardial-endocardial Ablation
• Intracardiac Echocardiography
• 3D Electroanatomic Mapping of right and left atria and pulmonary veins
• CT image integration

Specialized Procedures

Dr. Norris has been performing pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for over 15 years. He utilizes the latest ablation techniques, including intracardiac echocardiography, 3-D mapping systems, CT image integration, and irrigated-tip radiofrequency energy delivery to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness during the ablation procedure. Patients who have undergone this evolving technique experience an 85% rate of success in eliminating AF without the need for antiarrhythmic drug treatment long term. The standard PVI ablation requires 2 to 3 hours in the EP laboratory and is performed under general anesthesia with a 1-day hospital stay.

In 2010, Dr. Norris began working with a cardiac surgeon to pioneer the development of a hybrid surgical procedure (CONVERGENT) for the treatment of more persistent forms of atrial fibrillation. Utilizing a combined epicardial-endocardial technique, a 90% success rate has been achieved in patients who have more advanced AF or have failed ablation at other centers and are not candidates for stand-alone catheter ablation for AF. The CONVERGENT procedure is now performed by Dr. Norris and Dr. Joshua Rovin, cardiac surgeon, in the EP laboratory at Morton Plant Hospital under general anesthesia, and requires a 2-day hospital stay.

Patient Reviews

I've had afib for the last six years. From what I've learned, some people can't feel their afib but I certainly could!! It kept me awake at night. I would wake up with a feeling of doom. I had no energy and was always tired. I went thru the gauntlet of antiarrythmic medicaitions, and nothing helped for long. Then I was referred to Dr. John Norris of Pinellas Arrythmia Associates in Clearwater, Fl. I've been to many cardiologists over the years, and Dr. Norris was the answer to my prayers!! I've read a few reviews and so many say their life has been given back to them thanks to their ablation procedure. This is certainly true for me!!! And another plus, for the past sevearl years I didn't think I'd ever get thru those darn nightly hot flashes! I'm 69 years old with at least 8 to 10 hotflashes per night. Since ablation I've had not a single hot flash!! I can't believe the difference!! That was a real surprise plus for me!! Hopefully I will stay in normal sinus rhythm...but I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if need be.

--Betty M., Palm Harbor, Florida

 

I have been a patient of Dr. John Norris since 2008 when I was referred to him after having been diagnosed with afib. My episodes were rather frequent, and initially I went on several medications to control it. However, because of my age at the time (48), I opted to have a catheter ablation procedure in December 2009 since I didn't want to be on meds the rest of my life. I am thrilled to say that the procedure was a success! I have been a-fib free for 4 years. I would highly recommend Dr. John Norris to anyone who struggles with a-fib. There is hope! Thank you Dr. Norris!

-- Christine L., Florida

 

I am Pete Dieterich, and now I am 77. When I was 75 I was told by my family physician that I needed to see a Cardiologist because I had afib. I was lucky to find a good one, and he explained that I needed to start on a blood thinner like Coumadin or Pradaxa immediately. I also was told about a surgical operation called Catheter Abolition that might put my heart back into a normal sinus rhythm. With that operation I might be able stop the medication permanently. I followed his recommendation and talked to a Doctor from Sarasota that had performed many Cardiac Catheter Abolition operations. She operated on me in May of 2012. It as not successful, and she told me that I needed a more aggressive follow-up that she was not trained for called Catheter CONVERGENT ablation. She recommended John F. Norris, MD, from Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Norris explained that although the convergent operation was quite new, he in combination a Dr. Diliberto had already performed more than 50 of them successfully. Because this operation ablates from not only the inside, it also ablates the outside of the heart it is far more comprehensive and therefore effective. Drs. Norris and Diliberto operated on me in December of 2012. It is now 11 months later and I don't think my heart has missed a beat since then. My heart was monitored for 3 weeks and during that time it didn't go into Afib, not even once. I am very proactive with my health. I am delighted that I no longer needing a blood thinner, and I will not need amiodarone that was used after my first operation...it nearly killed me. Dr. Norris finally got me on the right track. The experience was no walk in the park, but success seldom comes easily. It was worth it.

--Pete, Florida

 

I was diagnosed with afib several years ago. Initially I was treated with Amiodarone, but due to the toxic nature of the drug I decided to discontinue it's use. I then met with Dr. John Norris in Clearwater and was told I had persistent afib and a convergent procrdure was recommended. The procedure was completed in May of 2011. I have been in normal sinus rhythm since. I am very pleased with the outcome and am happy to have the afib under control.

--RB, Florida

 

I was diagnosed with Afib a couple of years ago by my primary care physician. I was then seen by a cardiologist and treated with coumadin which involved many trips to the lab for protimes. I have a very stressful job and was concerned about how very tired I was all the time. There is a family history of Afib but I did not really want to continue with just taking coumadin. My wife had seen Dr.John Norris in 2009 for PSVT and had excellent resullts from her Ablation. She recommended that I see Dr.John Norris and I am so glad that I did. After my Ablation I am now in regular sinus rhythm and it is being controlled with Tikosyn and Xarelto. I now have so much more energy! Dr.Norris is always very informative and made me aware of all my options of treatment.

--Marvin R., Florida

 

I am a board certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist.  I developed atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate and was hospitalized by my cardiologist. I requested a consultation by Dr. John Norris because of his reputation and his expertise in the treatment of afib. I underwent AV Node Ablation and implantation of a biventricular AICD pacemaker. I was discharged home on Coumadin. Subsequently, I developed bleeding problems and on February 1, 2013 I underwent PVI ablation for AV optimization to enhance MV inflow and to increase cardiac output.  This procedure was imminently successful. My shortness of breath improved, my endurance improved, and my ejection fraction returned to normal. Dr. Norris has consistently demonstrated superior care and unusual compassion. I believe Dr. Norris saved my life. 

--William J. Richards, Jr., M.D.

 

Being a former college athlete and consistently in the gym five days a week I was beyond shocked, no pun intended to learn I was having a heart issue. After my second visit to the ER sweating and in my gym clothes I was informed that I needed an EP. Dr. John Norris was a customer of mine and I was aware of his outstanding reputation so he was the dcotor I knew that could help me. We tried some meds that were not successful and after a third visit to the ER doctor Norris informed me it was time for an ablation. I was miserable for about 6 months prior to the surgery. After my surgery I felt as if I had a new life. The confidence that Dr. Norris has instills belief that you will be healed. I really needed a doctor to help me get my life back and I just feel very blessed that I was so fortunate to be under his care. His staff at the office are amazing, I can't say enough great things about them. It is really hard to put into words how extremely fortunate I am to have an extraordinary person like Dr. John F. Norris in my life.

--Mark Rainville