Dr. Thomas Gaines, a cardiothoracic surgeon with the UT Medical Center, gave a presentation on the "Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation," in accordance with the Science Forum held every Friday.

Put simply, atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart does not beat properly or does not pump blood correctly. "Atrial fibrillation compromises the function of the heart," Gaines said.

Those who suffer from atrial fibrillation may experience any of the following -- blood clots, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic fatigue and sometimes even death.

Gaines offered insight into three types of surgical procedures that could help patients with atrial fibrillation.

One of the traditional surgical means of treating AF is through the Cox-Maze procedure, which involves the use of a heart-lung machine. According to Gaines, a heart-lung machine sends blood and oxygen to the rest of the body while the heart rests.

If you are queasy, beware of the upcoming details.

In the Cox-Maze procedure, the surgeon opens the chest through the breastbone. Then they create incisions that interrupt the pathway that was causing the irregular heart rhythm. Lastly, the surgeon removes or closes off the left atrial appendage. Gaines explained that most strokes occur in that part of the heart.

An advancement of the Cox-Maze procedure, known as the Mini-Maze (minimally invasive) procedure, is a product of "cutting"- edge technology. Pun intended. The advantage to this procedure? No open heart surgery.

According to the Emory Healthcare Web site, the surgeon makes three tiny incisions on each side of the chest. Then, with specialized cameras and instruments, he or she places a device in the heart that helps maintain a regular heartbeat.

The third procedure, radio frequency ablation, borrows ideas from the "maze" methods, but adds even more technology to surgery. As defined by the Heart Rhythm Society, ablation "renders a small section of damaged tissue inactive," putting an end to the irregular heartbeat. Surgeons use radio frequency to achieve this result.

Gaines made an interesting point that, many times, we see surgeons as the pioneers of medicine, but Gaines notes that "patients are the pioneers."