Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute

Our Mission

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center is led by internationally recognized cardiologist Dr. Andrea Natale and staffed by a team that includes some of the most prominent physicians and researchers in the field. In addition to caring for patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias, the Institute is dedicated to furthering the understanding and treatment of this disease and serving as a primary educational resource for physicians around the world.

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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
How is atrial fibrillation (AF) treated?

Medication or cardioversion may relieve symptoms. However, a procedure called cardiac ablation often is a cure. This involves creating a lesion in the heart area that fires abnormal electrical impulses.
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On Aug 15
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is the Maze procedure?

Maze procedure is a treatment for atrial fibrillation. During this procedure, a surgeon uses a series of accurately placed incisions in the right and left atria to destroy the impluses that cause atrial fibrillation. Read More

On Aug 14
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is an electrocardiogram (EKG)?

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple, painless test to measure the heart’s electrical activity. The heart generates electrical signal that flows through your body. During this test, small electrical sensors, called electrodes, are put on your skin to sense the electricity that began in your...Read More

On Aug 10
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is cardiac ablation?

This treatment for cardiac arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation involves creating a lesion in the heart area that fires abnormal electrical impulses. This eliminates the cause of the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to pump blood more effectively. Read More

On Jul 29
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What causes atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

Common causes of atrial fibrillation include:

Coronary artery disease;
Congenital heart disease;
Heart failure;
Hypertension (high blood pressure);
Cardiomyopathy;
Diseased heart valves;
Chronic lung disease;
Pulmonary embolism.

Less-frequent causes include hyperthyroidism, pericarditis, and a viral...Read More
On Jul 27
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is a normal heart rate?

When an adult is at rest, a normal heartbeat occurs about 60 to 100 times each minute. Read More

On Jul 27
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

Atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, is a common cardiac arrhythmia, or heart-rhythm disorder. It affects 3 million Americans.
This abnormal heart rhythm occurs when several electrical impulses in the heart fire simultaneously instead of systematically. This causes a fast and haphazard heartbeat. Read More

On Jul 08
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

Although some people experience no symptoms, common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
Palpitations (the heart feels like it is pounding or beating rapidly)
Light-headedness or dizziness
Shortness of breath
An uncomfortable feeling in the chest
Fatigue
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On Jul 08
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (Echo) is an external test of the heart that uses high-frequency sound waves called ultrasound to look at the heart’s size, shape, and movement. The test shows the heart’s four chambers, its valves and walls, the blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, and the sac that surrounds...Read More

On Jul 06
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is bradycardia (slow heart rate)?

Bradycardia is a heart-rhythm disturbance, or arrhythmia. An electrical signal in the heart causes a contraction of the heart muscle, which not only pumps blood but creates your heartbeat. A problem along this electrical pathway causes an abnormal heartbeat. Bradycardia refers to the heart beating...Read More

On Jun 07
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is a pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device about the size of a silver dollar that helps maintain a normal heartbeat by sending electrical impulses to the heart. It is inserted into a person’s chest and delivers the impulses to the heart muscle through wires called leads. Read More

On Apr 13
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What are the different types of atrial fibrillation?

There are three different types of atrial fibrillation, characterized by their duration and response to treatment. They are:
Paroxysmal, where atrial fibrillation occurs periodically and ends spontaneously;
Persistent or chronic, where an irregular heart rhythm will not return to normal on its own
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On Apr 04
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is permanent atrial fibrillation?

Permanent atrial fibrillation, is a type of atrial fibrillation that occurs when an irregular heart rhythm can't be corrected with treatment and continues indefinitely.
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On Jan 13
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
What is paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a type of atrial fibrillation that occurs periodically and ends spontaneously. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with episodes occurring daily or a few times a year. The duration is unpredictable and can last perhaps seconds or hours. Read More

On Jan 13
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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:
When is a pacemaker needed?

A person might need a pacemaker to be inserted for several reasons. These include:
Malfunctions in the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node, also called the body's natural pacemaker. When the SA node does not work properly, the heart can beat too slowly.
Malfunctions in the heart’s atrioventricular (AV) node,
...Read More
On Nov 19
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