The Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI) consists a team of nationally and internationally renowned, board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiac electrophysiologists who are continuously advancing the research, care and treatments for atrial fibrillation. The field of electrophysiology has experienced a tremendous amount of innovation, discovery, and learning, and Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI) is proud to be a leader in the identification and treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute offers:

  • Comprehensive care – We offer care throughout the entire disease process including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management
  • A multi-disciplinary approach – Our team of cardiac electrophysiologists collaborates with cardiac surgeons, structural heart specialists, dietitians, psychiatrists and psychologists, behavioral specialists, sleep specialists, and yoga instructors
  • Cutting-edge medicine – We perform the latest minimally invasive treatments which can offer a faster recovery and significant improvement in symptoms in just a few months
  • Internationally renowned cardiac electrophysiologists – Our electrophysiologists are known research leaders, authoring over 160 publications to advance care for patients with atrial fibrillation
  • Access to new investigational treatments – Our cardiac electrophysiologists are clinical trial and EP study leaders shaping the future of atrial fibrillation treatment. See a list of open cardiology clinical trials and EP studies and talk to your electrophysiologist to see if one may be the right option for you
  • Atrial fibrillation prevention clinic - Our innovative team of experts works with patients to prevent the onset of primary Afib and to reduce the risk and impact of recurrences in secondary Afib patients who have been diagnosed.

(913) 934-4300

Learn More About Atrial Fibrillation

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is caused by abnormal electrical impulses in the atria (upper chambers of the heart). This can cause the atria to quiver (fibrillate) and beat fast and/or irregularly. It triggers the atria to beat out of coordination with the bottom ventricles and blood isn’t able flow as well as it should.

Learn More About Atrial Fibrillation

How do you identify the cause and location of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter?

  • Cardiac mapping: Cardiac electrical mapping systems improved in recent years now allow us to visualize the exact origin of the arrythmia which cannot be seen with the naked eye. We are able to “capture” the arrhythmia in an electrical format, creating a three-dimensional image to very precisely target the arrythmia with radiofrequency energy to remove the arrhythmia.
  • Electrophysiology catheters: Electrophysiology catheters are used for cardiac sensing, recording, stimulation, and mapping. Recent innovations in catheter technology include significant improvements to safety profiles. We have also explored laser and ultrasound forms of cryoenergy (cool energy).

Treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter can prevent stroke

Many arrhythmias were previously thought to be untreatable, or the only options were sub-optimal treatments and medications with significant side effects and complications. The electrophysiology experts at KCHRI are leaders in clinical trials, EP studies, and the latest treatments and electrophysiology procedures for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, now offering cutting-edge treatments for these arrhythmias.

The cardiac electrophysiologists at KCHRI work diligently with atrial fibrillation patients on stroke prevention. The left atrial appendage is a small pouch similar to the appendix in the colon. The human heart has a little “appendix” that is attached to the left upper chamber where blood clots can form. These clots can get loose, travel to your brain, and cause a stroke or damage organs. Advanced research and recent developments in the area of the left atrial appendage now allow us to close the left atrial appendage or surgically remove it.

KCHRI electrophysiologists were directly involved with clinical trials for a new permanent implant device placed in the patient's left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from forming. Dhanunjaya “DJ” Lakkireddy, MD was the national principal investigator for this particular EP study where it was proven successful in minimizing the risk of stroke. This new electrophysiology procedure/device is equivalent to some existing technologies in preventing stroke, and superior in closure of the appendage.