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Cardiac Electrophysiologist Specializes in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Daniel R. Frisch, MD, joins Jefferson’s team of experts in cardiac electrophysiology
Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of heart arrhythmia, or rhythm disorder. According to the Heart Rhythm Society,
this condition affects more than two million Americans, with about 160,000 new cases diagnosed each year. With proper treatment,
atrial fibrillation is not life-threatening. Without proper treatment, it can increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.
For years, Jefferson’s team of cardiac electrophysiologists has offered a full complement of treatments for atrial fibrillation.
With the recent addition of cardiac electrophysiologist Daniel R. Frisch, MD, the team has amplified the availability of several
treatments – particularly atrial fibrillation ablation (also called pulmonary vein isolation).
Dr. Frisch joins Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he completed
fellowships in both Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiac Electrophysiology. To date, Dr. Frisch has participated in nearly
80 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures.
About atrial fibrillation ablation
“With this procedure, we attempt to locate areas of abnormal electrical activity and then eliminate that activity by cauterizing
the tissue,” explains Dr. Frisch, who is also Assistant Professor of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson
University. “The goal of the procedure is to cure this rhythm disorder, and in most cases we can significantly reduce symptoms.”
According to Dr. Frisch, symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include heart palpitations, feeling more tired than usual and,
in some cases, shortness of breath and chest discomfort. However, he says some people have no symptoms at all.
If you have a history of atrial fibrillation, or even if you suspect that you may have it, Dr. Frisch encourages you to make
an appointment with a Jefferson cardiac electrophysiologist.
“The important thing to understand is that atrial fibrillation doesn’t usually exist in isolation,” Dr. Frisch explains. “It
has ‘cousins.’ In fact, we often discover other heart-rhythm disorders that may be amenable to other medical or device therapies.”
For more information
For more information about atrial fibrillation and other heart-rhythm disorders, visit the Heart Rhythm Society website. Make an appointment with a Jefferson physician online or by calling 1-800-JEFF-NOW.
