Page 43 - Robeson Living Spring 2019

Wright’s experience was typical for the procedure, which sand cardiac ablations in his almost 30-year career. He said
involves catheterization under sedation for less than an he is very excited that local patients will now have easier
hour while a medical team maps the misfunctioning nerves and better access to treatment of heart disturbance close to
on the heart and systematically zaps them with a radio fre- home.
quency(RF). The radio waves cauterize the specific prob-
lem-causing nerves, causing the heart’s muscles to return “This procedure can fix AFib and prevent more serious
to normal rhythm. problems AFib can cause. When medication is no longer
effective, then it’s time to try ablation,” Dr. Tyson said.
Wright said she was ready to get back the energy she needs “It’s for patients whose condition is progressing, leading
to play with her 7-year-old grandson, who lives with her. to blacking out, or their heart racing, or the uncomfortable,
Before, she was unable to run or ride bicycles with him, sometimes scary out-of-rhythm sensations.”
but she hopes to get her strength back soon and get back
to normal. To make an appointment with Dr. Tyson, patients can
self-refer to Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular
“I want to do all I can to live longer with him,” Wright said. Clinic, located in the Southeastern Health Mall on the cam-
“To me, this was the only choice.” pus of Biggs Park Mall at 2934 North Elm Street, Suite
103, in Lumberton, or ask their primary care physician for
The AV node ablation procedure is just one type of cardiac a referral. For more information or to schedule an appoint-
ablation, and SeHealth is planning to offer more in the near ment with Dr. Tyson, call (910) 671-6619. Patients who
future. SeHealth Heart and Vascular Director Chad Car- are experience alarming discomfort should go directly to
penter explained that procedures dealing with the heart’s the Emergency Department.
electrical system are mostly a new area for SeHealth’s pa-
tients, aside from installing pacemakers.

“Regular cardiology deals with blocked vessels that bring
blood to and from the heart, but electrophysiology deals
with the electrical response that makes the heart pump,”
Carpenter said. “Now we’re moving toward introducing a
new concept called cryoablation, which is faster, only about 910-738-4611
an hour and a half long procedure, and then we’ll expand
into RF ablation, which uses radio frequency to continually
scan the heart rather than using a catheter to map it.” Auto

The other methods of ablation will allow more complex Home
ablation cases to be handled at SRMC.
Life

Dr. Tyson said most people know if they have AFib, also
called atrial flutter or ventricular arrhythmia, either be- Health
cause of family history or conversations with their medi-
cal provider. Patients with AFib can have no symptoms, or Renters
they can have palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath.
It can also cause clots to form and be pushed through to the Business
brain, causing a stroke.
CLAY HAMILTON
“Electrophysiology issues affect about 40 percent of our
population,” Carpenter said. “It’s not dangerous until it’s Insurance Agency, Inc.
persistent. Then it can lead to tachycardia, which is when 4904 Fayetteville Rd., Lumberton, NC
the heart rate is too fast or when the heart beats out of nor- Salem Square Professional Park
mal rhythm, which can again cause clots to form and in-
crease the risk of stroke.” www.clayhamilton.net
Like a good neighbor,
Dr. Tyson estimates he has performed more than a thou-
State Farm is there
Robeson Living ~ Spring 2019