Cardiology in Israel

Atrial fibrillation, also called AF or A-Fib, is a condition that is characterized by the atria (upper chambers) beating rapidly and irregularly. Risk factors for its development involve hypertension, valvular or coronary artery disease, obesity, sleep apnea and COPD. Episodes tend to be mild in the early stages but tend to progress over time. They include shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pains, lightheadedness and syncope.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of the thoracic artery caused by its wall’s weakness. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are most often asymptomatic and are usually detected accidentally during tests performed for other reasons (i.e. chest CT or X-ray or an echocardiogram).

When symptoms do present, they include:

A mitral valve replacement surgery may be in cases of mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation. The procedure is usually performed as an open heart surgery. During the operation the damaged valve is removed and a prosthesis is inserted in its place.