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Atrial Fibrillation Center

Washington University Center for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm defined by an irregular, disorganized heartbeat. The top chambers of the heart quiver (fibrillate), and the fibrillating electrical activity is transmitted to the lower chambers of the heart where it results in irregular, often fast heart beats.

Medical and surgical treatments exist today to restore a normal heart rhythm, relieve symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. The choice of treatment for AF depends on the severity of a person’s symptoms, prior treatments that were unsuccessful and other medical conditions that affect risk.

Our multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, surgeons and clinical nurse specialists successfully treats people with AF in order to slow down the heart rate and reduce symptoms. They also are active in leading clinical research on AF to develop and refine new treatments.

Please use the menu of the right to learn more about AF, our team and treatments, and research into the disease — or contact Marci Bailey, RN, MSN, atrial fibrillation research nurse coordinator at (314) 747-1930.

Healthy Heart

Atrial Fibrillation

A healthy heartbeat — The electrical impulse begins at the sinus node (red), then spreads across the upper chambers, the atria, like a ripple on a pond resulting in a coordinated activation and contraction.

Chaotic electrical activity — Atrial fibrillation is like too many ripples on the pond. The atria convulse with erratic electrical charges.

Washington University physicians are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital