Innovation and Evolution: The Genesis of Atrial Fibrillation Management

"A [medical specialty] that forgets its past has no future" [adapted from] Winston Churchill

Before the 1990s, treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF) were limited to invasive open-heart surgeries, heavy doses of medication like amiodarone, or simply 'living with it.' The UK has played a critical role in pioneering the technology and expanding our understanding of AF.

To find out more about the evolution of AF management, cardiac devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, and the emergence of ablation technology over the past three decades, I turned to one of the trailblazers in the field. I spoke with Dr. Rowland, one of the first Cardiac Electrophysiologists in the UK

And his stories were fascinating.

From crafting his own catheters in the basement of the Heart Hospital to witnessing the first pacemaker implantation, Dr. Rowland has been at the heart of cardiac electrophysiology's evolution. He's been instrumental in establishing both National and International committees to guide and regulate the specialty. He currently serves as a Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and was recently honoured with an OBE for his contributions to Cardiology.

Though our conversation primarily caters to junior doctors in the UK, the insights are so compelling that I wanted to share them with all of you here, in this week's newsletter.

Watch the full video here.