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 browse our website to learn more about AF, our team and treatments, and research into the disease — or contact Laurie Sinn, RN, BSN, atrial fibrillation nurse coordinator, at (314) 747-1930.

Ralph Damiano, MD, chief of cardiac surgery at Barnes-Jewish and Washington University, has advanced the procedure a great deal since 1987 when surgeon James Cox, MD, first invented the surgery at the former Barnes Hospital.

Meet the Atrial Fibrillation Center team below.

Daniel H. Cooper, MD, Electrophysiology-Cardiologist
Phillip S. Cuculich, MD, Electrophysiology-Cardiologist
Ralph J. Damiano Jr., MD, Cardiac Surgeon
Mitchell N. Faddis, MD, PhD, Electrophysiology-Cardiologist
Marye J. Gleva, MD, Electophysiology-Cardiologist
Spencer J. Melby, MD, Cardiac Surgeon
Timothy W. Smith, DPhil, MD, Electrophysiology-Cardiologist
Laurie A. Sinn, RN, BSN, Atrial Fibrillation Nurse Coordinator

For more information, call (314) 747-1930.