Atrial flutter operation in France

SurgeryInFrance provides a tailored facilitation and support service for UK and Irish patients seeking medical treatment in France, the world's leading healthcare system.

SurgeryInFrance ensures rapid access to highly-experienced, peer-recommended specialists who are proficient in the most up-to-date medical and surgical techniques and who have a recognised expertise in the patient's specific pathology.

The below case report illustrates how this unique service recently benefited a professional soldier with a heart problem.

Case report: Atrial flutter (AFL)

JB is a 30 year-old soldier involved in security operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In July 2009, he experienced a severe heart palpitation episode that required an external electric shock under sedation to reverse his sinus rhythm. He had no significant medical history or previous episodes.

Atrial flutter is a form of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It consist of rapid heart beating originating in the atrium (230-320 bpm).The most common symptom is palpitations but other symptoms might include fatigue, shortness of breath, light-headedness and chest tightness. In some cases, atrial flutter can cause hypotension, angina, congestive heart failure and thromboembolism (TIA or ischemic stroke). Aside from the obvious dangers posed by experiencing such symptoms in a high-risk environment, leaving the condition untreated could also allow its progression to a more serious form of arrhythmia. Also, preventative blood thinning therapy is proscribed in a combat environment (accordingly, the sale of aspirin is banned by the US Army in combat zones).

Having researched radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) as a potential treatment for atrial flutter, JB contacted SurgeryInFrance to arrange a consultation with a leading one of Europe's leading arrhythmia specialists. After reviewing JB' medical history and confirming the surgical indication, surgery was scheduled for a week later. SurgeryInFrance then arranged for the work-ups to be done on a priority basis and accompanied the patient throughout.

Usually, rhythm control strategies with antiarrhythmic drugs is the main option treatment for supraventricular tachycardia but for typical atrial flutter, a permanent treatment by RFCA may be preferable. Indeed, studies have shown that RFCA has higher success rates and fewer complications than drug therapy with recurrence rates under 10%. The procedure itself (cavotricuspid isthmus ablation) was performed by the cardiologist by catheter insertion in the femoral vein under moderate sedation. After surgery the patient stayed in the hospital for two days with postoperative Holter monitoring. The patient was then discharged from hospital and prescribed with Lovenox anticoagulant therapy for 10 days followed by Aspirin for 4 weeks as a preventative measure. Three days after the procedure, JM was comfortably able to travel back to the UK, resuming strenuous physical activity a few weeks later.

Dr Marc Viggiano - Medical Director

SurgeryInFrance Ltd.

Patient story supplied by SurgeryInFrance.

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