Managing AFib: Chris Hopkins’ Pulse Field Ablation Story

Watch Chris share his story

When TriHealth patient Chris Hopkins noticed a spot on his leg that wouldn’t go away, he realized he needed to get it looked at. 

Upon his visit with the dermatologist, he learned that it was either an issue with a blood vessel, or it was cancer. 

“I just about fell out of my chair,” Chris said about learning the news. 

Fortunately, his biopsy would come back cancer-free, which meant that it was time for Chris to see the TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute. He went to see Dr. Najamul Ansari. 

“Within five minutes he knew immediately what was wrong with me,” Chris said. “I got an EKG and he said I was in AFib—I had no idea what AFib even meant.”

AFib is short for Atrial Fibrillation, which is a common heart rhythm problem where the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly and often rapidly, increasing the risk of blood clots, strokes and other heart-related complications. Individuals in AFib will often experience prolonged periods of elevated heart rate, along with shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness and other common symptoms that make physical exertion difficult. 

This, however, was not Chris’ experience with symptoms, as he was able to maintain his normal work schedule with overtime, while still maintaining his home and general hobbies. 

“Of course back then I was overweight and blood pressure was up, but I didn’t have any symptoms at all—I had no idea,” he said. “They said it just affects different people different ways.”

Dr. Ansari then began Chris on some medication to help manage his AFib. Despite the medication working well, Dr. Ansari believed that Chris was a good candidate for a newer variation of a procedure commonly used to help eliminate the tissue causing the irregular heartbeat, or ablation. 

Chris said it was good to have options while navigating his care plan with Dr. Ansari. 

“He said ‘I think you’d be a prime candidate for this new ablation we’ve got on the market,’” Chris remembered. “He told me you don’t have to because the medication is working, but over time if you stay in AFib it can damage the muscles in the heart, and you’re too young to have this going on.”

The procedure, called a Pulse Field Ablation, uses electricity to eliminate this tissue, and is widely regarded as an improvement on a previous thermal ablation method that would freeze the tissue. The Pulse Field Ablation is considered an advancement because it aims to minimize damage to surrounding structures like the esophagus and nerves, which can lead to reduced complications.

Chris agreed to learn more about the procedure, which is when he was referred to Dr. Gaurang Gandhi. 

Within a few days, Chris was scheduled for his ablation. 

“I went to Bethesda North, had the procedure done—I feel great,” he said. “Now my heart is in perfect rhythm.”

Chris talked about how he’s happy that he trusted his gut when he followed up about the spot he found on his leg. 

“I didn’t have nothing wrong up here in my chest that I knew of, but I seen that spot on my leg and thought ‘What in the world is causing this?’—not knowing I would find out I had a heart issue,” he said. “If something’s out of the norm that you’re not used to, go see a doctor.”

Chris’ life is back to normal, and he’s enjoying his clean bill of health, as well as the 100+ pounds he was able to lose and keep off during the process. 

“I’m very grateful for TriHealth, Dr. Ansari and Dr. Gandhi.”

The TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute focuses on personalized care - providing the least invasive option, with the least recovery time and optimal outcomes for each patient. Our highly regarded cardiologists and surgeons perform Cincinnati’s widest range of cardiac procedures at multiple locations across the region.