CALGARY - Robert Zinselmeyer wasn't feeling much different while at his job as a petroleum engineer in Calgary. But when the 54-year-old avid cyclist took to the trails, something was unusual--a drop of energy that was immediate, and that concerned him enough to get to the doctor.
A few years ago, the endurance cyclist was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or AFib, an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (think over 400 beats per minute versus the usual 60-100 beats) called an arrhythmia, which can lead to blood clots in the heart and an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
"I could tell something wasn't right. I was cycling on a minor hill and found myself exhausted; completely out of energy and I couldn't recover," Zinselmeyer remembers of his 2021 diagnosis.
Usually caused by changes to the heart's tissue or the electrical signaling that helps the heartbeat, Afib can lead to stroke if left untreated. Afib is thought to affect 37 million people worldwide (usually occuring in people in their 60s), and an estimated 59,000 in Alberta. That figure is projected to more than double by 2050.
Zinselmeyer says he's lucky. Going right to his family doctor, then referred to a cardiologist and finally a surgery 14 months later, the Calgarian says he wishes he'd paid attention to signs and symptoms sooner, the feeling 'something was off'--but he feels lucky nonetheless.
"I had surgery eight weeks ago and haven't had another episode," he said, adding he'll still be on blood thinners for a few months. "I've been cycling a few times, and feel optimistic I can get back into shape. Since my diagnosis, I've found out two co-workers may have a similar condition. And I suspect my mom may have had it too."
The good news for those diagnosed with Afib is that Canada has played an important role in designing a new cardiac technology that helps physicians identify and treat areas of the heart where abnormal heartbeats originate. In fact, Zinselmeyer was the first patient in Canada to benefit from a new 'tech tool' called TactiFlex that promises shorter procedure times and improved safety for patients.
"I was working the next day. It was amazing," said Zinselmeyer of the procedure, which includes a mapping of the heart and use of a tool with a flexible tip to scar tissue in the area of the heart that is generating abnormal electrical signals.
Dr. Carlos Morillo, cardiologist and member of the Libnin Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary, has been using the procedure with the TactiFlex tool in a few cases now (the tool has been tested in a few centres in Canada). He says the flexible tip provides better contact against the heart versus a regular catheter, which allows 10-20 seconds of steady energy/oblation to stop the arrhythmia.
"This technology expedites the procedure; it's faster and safer," said Morillo. "We can do more, and the idea is to improve efficiency and quality of outcomes. Robert was discharged the same day as his procedure. He's got his life back, back to hiking and cycling."
Morillo admits the caveat is that doctors don't control wait times for procedures, and a shortage of trained, qualified nurses means there's not a big uptick in those being able to take advantage of the surgery with the game-changing tool.
Though he adds Calgary was lucky to be chosen for trials with the new AFib technology, clinics there and in Edmonton continue to offer oblation procedures.
"Some people feel faint, or have heart palpitations; it's important to keep people in normal rhythm as much as possible, as the risk of heart attack and stroke does increase," he said. "Whatever the age, anyone with a family history or other arrhythmia should check with their doctor."
