Latest technique to correct A-fib

Bridgeport, Connecticut (WTNH) - Atrial Fibrillation is a fairly common heart condition. The irregular heartbeats impair the heart's ability to pump blood.

St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport is the only hospital in the state perfecting the latest single technique to correct A-fib.

Norm Cohen is back for a follow up visit at St. Vincent's Medical Center after undergoing the latest treatment for Atrial Fibrillation -- or irregular heartbeat -- due to abnormal electrical impulses.

"I was worried about dying,” Cohen said. “I was worried about not living a full life."

Medication was no longer effective for Norm.

"I was feeling very, very uncomfortable, like nauseous and miserable, and then it reached a point where I stopped feeling it,” Norm Cohen continued. “That was what was scary."

Dr. Rafael Squitieri , Interim Chair of Cardiology, performed what's called the 5 box t-t maze.

"Once we've identified where they are, we can then add energy to that spot and eradicate that impulse,” he explained.

Dr. Squitieri basically traps the impulse by creating a line of scar tissue.

"You can actually find the source for a-fib, burn it and eradicate a-fib that way.

“You can block it from where it’s coming from the lungs to the heart and block it from entering the heart or you can channel it.

"You're controlling the direction of the electrical activity in the heart to prevent fibrillating."

The minimally invasive procedure begins with small incisions and takes about four hours. The short hospital stay is a big benefit for patients.

For Norm Cohen, it got rid of that extra heart beat.

“You cured me,” he exclaimed. "Real regular, I like that."

And life will go back to a regular beat.

"I got a young wife and I want to make sure I can live up to her expectations,” Cohen said. “And he said, ‘You will.’"

The success rate for the 5 box t-t maze is up to 90-percent. The procedure also lowers the risk for stroke among a-fib patients.