Hybrid therapy for atrial fibrillation offered in New South Wales hospital

It combines cardiac surgery with catheter-based treatment to restore normal heart rhythm.

Wollongong Private Hospital in New South Wales is now offering convergent hybrid therapy, a minimally invasive treatment for persistent and long-standing atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition characterised by abnormal heart rhythms.

“It assists chronic AF patients experiencing ongoing symptoms and is ideal for those who have had an unsuccessful ablation in the past,” said Jayesh Gohil, a cardiologist at the hospital.

The procedure combines cardiac surgery with catheter-based treatment to restore normal heart rhythm.

The hospital completed its first two cases in April.

AF affects approximately 2 per cent of Australians and is associated with increased risks of stroke and heart failure.