KEY POINTS:
A 42-year-old Whangamata man yesterday became the first person at Waikato Hospital to have an atrial fibrillation procedure to correct a heart rhythm.
The five-and-a-half hour surgery was conducted by cardiologist Martin Stiles, 36, who recently returned to Hamilton after seven years overseas.
The keyhole surgery fixes irregular heartbeats by using virtual simulations of the heart to pinpoint targets where small burns help change the muscle's electrical conduction.
"Waikato is now able to offer a full range of services for treatment of heart rhythm disorders. This has previously only been available in Auckland and Christchurch," Dr Stiles said.
The patient, a father-of-two, said he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation seven years ago while training for a marathon.
"All of a sudden we've got someone here in the Waikato who can do this. My quality of life should be 100 per cent better."
Dr Stiles plans an operation a week for the next five weeks.
- NZPA
