What is today’s date? June 6, China Atrial Fibrillation Day. On March 19, 2013, in order to improve the prevention and awareness of atrial fibrillation stroke in China, improve the level of prevention of atrial fibrillation stroke, and improve the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation-related stroke, the Chinese Association of Preventive Medicine, the Chinese Medical Association, the Chinese Society of Cardiovascular Diseases and other eight societies jointly launched the China Atrial Fibrillation Alliance (CNAFA). The China Atrial Fibrillation Alliance (CNAFA), jointly sponsored by the Chinese Society of Preventive Medicine, the Chinese Medical Association, the Cardiovascular Disease Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and other eight major societies, was officially announced in Beijing, and June 6 of each year will be designated as “China Atrial Fibrillation Day”. Atrial fibrillation, or atrial fibrillation, is the most common atrial arrhythmia. In recent years, the global incidence of atrial fibrillation has increased dramatically due to an aging population, chronic heart disease and other factors, and China is the first country with atrial fibrillation. The incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, and it is estimated that the incidence of atrial fibrillation can reach 4% in people over 60 years of age and 9% in people over 80 years of age. When atrial fibrillation occurs, all parts of the atria show a rapid and disordered electrical activity, with atrial excitation (atrial rate) as high as 350-600 beats/min and irregularity, and a significantly faster heartbeat (ventricular rate) that can be felt at 100-200 beats/min, and a definitely irregular beating rhythm. A fast and chaotic heartbeat is a burden to a normal heart and can accelerate its failure. The greatest danger of atrial fibrillation is the tendency for blood clots to form in the heart and for them to dislodge and run down the arteries to the brain, where they can lead to cerebral artery embolism and hemiplegic stroke (commonly known as a “stroke”). Compared to non-atrial fibrillation patients, the incidence of stroke is 5-17 times higher than normal, with a disability rate of 25% and a mortality rate of 25%. The incidence is higher in those patients with AF who are older than 65 years and have a history of stroke or a history of hypertension, diabetes, or heart failure. The CHA2DS2CVASc scale for atrial fibrillation, the higher the score, the higher the likelihood of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, cardiac function is about 30% lower in patients with atrial fibrillation than in normals, which can lead to heart enlargement and heart failure. Fast heart rate and irregular rhythm can make patients feel palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, and even fainting. Atrial fibrillation treatment tools 1, drug anticoagulation: anticoagulation is a necessary way to reduce stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, especially in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Currently, oral anticoagulants mainly include traditional warfarin, and new oral anticoagulants such as dabigatranate and rivaroxaban. Warfarin anticoagulation therapy can reduce the risk of stroke by 68%, but it is highly susceptible to interference from other drugs, foods, fruits and vegetables, etc. It is difficult to control at a stable level and must be monitored by regular blood sampling (once every one to two weeks), which also brings many disadvantages to long-term warfarin use. In recent years, new anticoagulant drugs, such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, have been marketed. The biggest advantage of these drugs is that they do not require regular monitoring of coagulation, but their cost is relatively expensive. 2, radiofrequency ablation: nowadays atrial fibrillation ablation technology has been basically mature, ablation equipment, surgical equipment and standard measurement system is also becoming more and more perfect, radiofrequency ablation has become a very safe and efficient treatment means, bringing the gospel to the majority of patients. It is suitable for patients with paroxysmal, persistent and long-term persistent atrial fibrillation. The results obtained from the data of many hospitals at home and abroad over the years show that the success rate of non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can reach more than 80-85% in a single operation, and even the success rate of persistent atrial fibrillation can reach 70-80%, and long-term persistent atrial fibrillation also has better results after multiple operations, as long as it is performed by operators with more than 100 cases of atrial fibrillation per year. Moreover, as a minimally invasive procedure, radiofrequency ablation can cure atrial fibrillation with short hospitalization time and fast recovery, which is very easy to be accepted. Catheterized radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is performed by feeding a catheter from the femoral vein to the heart, precisely locating the area where the pulmonary vein is connected to the atrium, and introducing radiofrequency current into the heart to completely “electrically isolate” the pulmonary vein from the left atrium. The procedure takes about 2 hours to complete. After the operation, the patient can move to the floor after lying down for 6~8 hours. 3.Left ear blockage: Research data shows that more than 87% of strokes are due to thromboembolism, and more than 90% of thrombosis originates from the left heart ear, which is the reason why the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation is more than 5 times that of normal people. When people have regular heart contractions, blood flows normally in and out of the left ear. However, when people suffer from atrial fibrillation, the left ear dilates and loses its basic contractile function, causing blood to pool in the left ear, which can easily form blood clots. The left ear is a pocket-shaped tissue within the human heart that is closed at one end and rich in blood flow. However, for patients with atrial fibrillation, this “ear” is like a “time bomb”, and once the blood clot inside it flows out and enters the cerebral vessels, it can easily lead to a stroke. In recent years, the left ear blocking technique, which aims to eliminate the “base” of blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation, has become the latest technique for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients internationally. Foreign data show that the procedure can reduce the incidence of thrombosis by more than 90%. The procedure is a minimally invasive interventional technique, and the average procedure takes about one hour. A catheter is inserted through a blood vessel at the root of the thigh, and after entering the heart, a strawberry-shaped mesh is released at the entrance of the left ear, covering the ear and preventing the formation of thrombus while blocking it from escaping. Our Arrhythmia Center has also become the first hospital in eastern Zhejiang to successfully perform left-ear occlusion, and the number of completed cases has gradually increased, accumulating a wealth of experience. Who is suitable for this kind of left auricular occlusion surgery? Based on the patient’s age, type of atrial fibrillation, as well as the risk of embolism and bleeding, the procedure is suitable for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation of advanced age who are also at high risk of stroke such as hypertension and diabetes, or who have already had a stroke, as well as patients who are unwilling to take long-term anticoagulant drugs or whose anticoagulant drugs are contraindicated.