Third time’s a charm

Kurt Witham, 63, is relentless in his pursuit of a normal heart rhythm. As an engineer, he loves researching problems and finding solutions. When it comes to his personal health, Kurt tenaciously seeks the best care.

“I had always had dizzy spells,” Kurt admits. “My friend was concerned that I would get dizzy just walking from the car to the grocery store.”

Kurt assumed that these spells were of no concern until, in 2018, when he and his friend were up north, he passed out on the sidewalk.

“At the hospital, I was evaluated and released. That’s when I contacted a cardiologist. Testing confirmed that I had atrial fibrillation,” Kurt said, “which was a surprise to me.”

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can lead to heart failure, blot clots, and stroke. When blood is not moving, it tends to clot. If a clot forms, it can eventually reach the brain, leading to stroke. According to the American Heart Association, AFib can double the risk of death and is linked with a fivefold increased risk of stroke. 

Kurt chooses cardiac care at Trinity Health

Kurt's cardiologist performed a procedure that inserted implantable loop recorders to track Kurt’s AFib. When Kurt’s AFib returned, he was referred to an electrophysiologist. 

An electrophysiologist is a board-certified cardiologist who has undergone specialized training focusing on the electrical system of the heart. Sometimes nicknamed “electricians of the heart,” these doctors in the advancing field of cardiac electrophysiology are specially trained to diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders that can range from bothersome to life-threatening.

“It’s good that Trinity Health set up an electrophysiology practice. Without that, I would have landed somewhere else,” said Kurt. “And it was important to me that Trinity is affiliated with U of M.” 

Kurt is referring to the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan, which is a joint operating agreement between Trinity Health Muskegon and University of Michigan Health–West. This collaboration gives patients access to the resources and experts of both health systems.

Cardioversion and cardiac ablation

Kurt's electrophysiologist performed two electrical cardioversion procedures in which electrical shocks are delivered to the heart while the patient is under sedation. The purpose is to reset the arrhythmia of AFib. Along the way, heart rhythm medications were also introduced to Kurt’s treatment plan.

When Kurt’s AFib returned, his doctor took a different approach. He performed a cardiac ablation on Kurt’s heart — twice. Many individual factors affect the need for multiple ablations. Approximately 15 to 20% of patients with AFib have more than one ablation procedure. 

Cardiac ablation for AFib is a minimally invasive procedure using catheters to create tiny scars (using heat or cold) in heart tissue, blocking the faulty electrical signals causing irregular heartbeats. Ablations aim to restore a normal rhythm, often when medications aren't effective. Performed by an electrophysiologist, ablation involves guiding catheters to the heart, mapping electrical activity, and ablating problematic heart tissues. Recovery usually takes a few days to a week.

After Kurt’s first two catheter ablations, he was prescribed the heart rhythm medication Tikosyn. The treatment worked, for a while. And thanks to his decision to wear an Apple watch, Kurt was the first to know when the Tikosyn stopped working.

“At that time, I consulted Dr. Turin," said Kurt. 

Kurt’s third cardiac ablation

“When Kurt came to me, he presented with persistent AFib as well as a similar rhythm called flutter,” said Alexander Turin, MD, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist with Trinity Health Medical Group, Cardiology - Muskegon, and a member of the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan. 

“There are three types of AFib. Paroxysmal AFib comes and goes on its own. Persistent AFib episodes last longer than 7 days or requires cardioversion. Longstanding persistent AFib is that which has lasted more than a year. The farther along the progression, the more difficult it is to restore normal rhythm long-term.”

Read more: Understanding your irregular heartbeat - and how to treat it. 

Dr. Turin performed a third minimally invasive radio frequency ablation on Kurt in December 2024. 

“Radio frequency ablation has been around nearly 30 years. It is tried and true,” said Dr. Turin. “Catheters are tools inserted through a blood vessel in the groin to reach the heart. Energy is delivered to the tip of the catheter which heats up and essentially cauterizes the heart tissue.”

This form of ablation is safe with major complications occurring less than 1% of the time. Many patients go home the same day.

Kurt’s prognosis

“There is no cure for AFib. I tell patients that it’s not a question of if AFib will recur, but when it will return and how much, and there is no reliable way to predict this. The goal of medications and ablation procedures is to limit both. Longterm, patients can use commercially available devices to monitor their heart rhythms,” said Dr. Turin.

“The third time [ablation] was the charm. It has been more than a year since the procedure. I feel pretty good. Now I keep track of my heart rhythm by wearing an Apple watch during the day. I wear an Oura ring at night to monitor my sleep. I’m still on two medications and now my heart rate is normal at night and during the day,” said Kurt.

Kurt’s reflection

“I feel I made all the right decisions,” he said. “It’s been a very good experience with Trinity Health — from the specialists to the office staff. I would do it again.”

An active person, Kurt enjoys walking, working out the gym, and gardening. These days, he is paying closer attention to eating more healthy foods and staying hydrated. As he looks back, he wishes he had acted sooner.

“Pay attention, and if you have unusual symptoms, check it out. I lived with light-headedness for years. I thought it was just the way it was. I would never have known I had AFib, until I passed out. It could have been catastrophic. Prevention is better. Get things checked out early.”

Take control of your heart health today. Request an appointment with an AFib specialist and learn about advanced treatments at TrinityHealthMI.org/AFib.