Treatment of heart rhythm problems

The Cardiac Surgery department is increasingly specialising in surgical treatment for rhythm problems of all types. The Cardiac Surgery department works closely with the Heart Rhythm Management Center at UZ Brussel. UZ Brussel is a global pioneer in hybrid procedures to treat atrial fibrillation.

A hybrid procedure combines treatment on the inside of the heart (known as endocardial treatment), carried out by an electrophysiologist with treatment on the outside of the heart (known as epicardial), carried out by a heart rhythm surgeon.This hybrid approach offers the advantages of both epicardial and endocardial approaches.

Recently published long-term results in persistent or worsening atrial fibrillation have shown that 80% of the patients treated were restored to sinus (normal) rhythm. For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (continuously for more than 1 year) this was achieved in about 60% of cases. These results were achieved without medication, without thrombo-embolism and with no repeat intervention. Hybrid techniques have now become a fully recognised treatment for specific patients with atrial fibrillation.