Doctor Column

Atrial Fibrillation (‘A Fib’) What is Holiday Heart? December 25, 2019 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF, often causes the heart to beat faster with an abnormal rhythm. It is the most common chronic, irregular heart rhythm in the U. S. It strikes more than two and half million people in America and the incidence of AFib rises with age. It’s most prevalent in people over the age of 65 affecting about nine per cent of this population; and there isn’t a predictable pattern to the irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). An option to anticoagulation in higher risk Patients with Atrial Fibrillation — watchman rising August 3, 2016 Christian Perzanowski, MD, FACC, FHRS Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. It is widely regarded as an important cause of embolic stroke, that is brain infarction (damage) resulting from thrombotic (clots) s howering the bloodstream as they break off from the heart. Helpful physicians may be key to successful weight loss August 16, 2015 Christian Perzanowski, MD, FACC, FHRS When participating in weight-loss programs, a helpful physician can improve the chances of success for people with obesity, according to the findings of researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD. “Thinning” the Blood to Prevent a Stroke from Atrial Fibrillation Part I August 16, 2015 Christian Perzanowski, MD, FACC, FHRS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant cause of stroke. The lack of contractility from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) lead to pooling of the blood with resultant “clot” (thrombus) formation. Should even small elements of these clots disperse, and embolize to the brain: the result is a stroke. Ear tubes in children: why operate? June 24, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD At times, a mother is faced with a worrisome decision, “Should I allow my child to undergo surgery?” Regardless of the type of surgery the child needs or whether he is 13 months old, 23 months old or older, the words “surgery or operation” makes the parent nervous. For the surgeon, to operate on a 13 month old child who weighs 19 pounds makes him think hard and ask, “Why operate?” Tonsil stones and bad breath (halitosis) June 9, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Peggy, a 29 year old wife of a Veterinarian saw her physician because of “pus pockets” on her tonsils and “my breath stinks.” At times, white stuff pops out of the tonsil with an awful smell and taste.” Nasal fractures in young children and adolescents June 1, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD In an adult, it’s easy to diagnose a nasal fracture when the nose is “bent out of shape”. However, a broken nose in an uncooperative child with swelling around the nose and face can go undiagnosed. Unrecognized nasal fractures can have serious consequences. The Risk of Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation I May 18, 2015 Christian Perzanowski, MD, FACC, FHRS Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered cardiac arrhythmia. The degree of patient awareness varies widely, from highly symptomatic patients experiencing chest pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness to those who are completely oblivious. Atrial Fibrillation: signs and symptoms you must know November 10, 2014 Christian Perzanowski, MD, FACC, FHRS Palpitations, and elevated heart rate are symptoms that nearly everyone experiences at some point in their life. Most often, “skipped beats” or the perceived irregularity in cardiac rhythm is benign and may be the result of stress, poor sleep patterns or even increased consumption of dietary stimulatants (e.g. Caffeinated beverages, alcohol even in modest amounts).