“This is a new beginning for me as I look forward to the future,” according to Galway man Sean Rankin, who recently became the first patient to undergo a ground-breaking procedure for treating atrial fibrillation (Afib) at University Hospital Galway (UHG). Sean, who had been suffering from the condition for many years, explained how he had sought treatment “with Professor Alan Soo, following the success of my lung cancer surgery. I’m doing very well and I am very pleased with the way everything went.”

Atrial fibrillation affects more than 1-2% of the population with increasing incidence in those over 65. If left untreated, it can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

University Hospital Galway has become the first public hospital in the country to employ the convergent procedure, a ground-breaking approach, putting it at the forefront of heart surgery nationally. The innovative procedure was carried out by Professor Alan Soo, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Dr Stephen Tuohy, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist at UHG.

“This minimally invasive procedure is a game changer for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and we are delighted to be the first public hospital in Ireland to offer this surgical procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation,” according to Professor Soo. “Afib is a condition where your heart beats irregularly (arrhythmia), usually much faster than normal and this is caused by disruptions in the electrical signals that regulate your heart, making it harder for the upper and lower chambers of the heart to work together.

“While medication or catheter ablation can successfully treat Afib, some patients’ symptoms recur or worsen. Now, with the convergent procedure, such patients have another treatment option allowing  for minimal discomfort, lower risk of complications, faster recovery time and a shorter hospital stay.”

The procedure is performed by a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and a Cardiac Electrophysiologist, who use radiofrequency energy to make ablations, or small lesions or burns on the heart that will effectively block the irregular electrical signals or heartbeat. It is one of the most effective surgical techniques in treating individuals with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Hospital Manager Chris Kane noted how “this is a first for University Hospital Galway, and we welcome this new treatment option for patients. It will significantly improve the patient experience, and we are delighted to have debuted this innovation here in Galway.”

In conclusion, Sean added that he wanted to “express my sincere appreciation to Professor Alan Soo, Dr Stephen Tuohy and my GP Dr Richie Baggott for everything they’ve done for me.  This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to the future.”