Francis Ford Coppola recover after heart procedure in the Rome Hospital
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Francis Ford Coppola, director of ‘The Godfather’, was admitted to Hospital in Italy last week for a non-emergency assistance procedure.
The filmmaker, 86, tried to update a “30-year AFIB procedure”, according to a message on his Instagram page.
AFIB, or atrium fibrillation (AFIB), is an “irregular and often quickly heart rhythm” that can increase the risk of blood clots, heart failure, stroke and other heart -related complications, according to the American Heart Association.
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After Italian media sources had reported the director’s hospital visit, a representative for Coppola called it a “planned update procedure” and said he “rested well”.
“Everything is good,” said his representatives.
Francis Ford Coppola, director of ‘The Godfather’, was admitted to Hospital in Italy last week for a non-emergency assistance procedure. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
“Da Dada (what my children call me) is fine,” the director said on his social media and spoke for what seems to be the first time about his condition.
He continued: “seized the opportunity to do the update of my 30-year-old AFIB procedure with his inventor, a great Italian doctor-dr. Andrea Natale! I’m good!”
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Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vitalolution, an Ingenovis Health Company, spoke with Fox News Digital about the condition.
“Afib is usually not immediately life -threatening, but it can lead to complications or problems in the future,” says the cardiologist, who has not treated Coppola.
The filmmaker, 86, tried to update a “30-year AFIB procedure”, according to a message on his Instagram page. (Getty Images)
With AFIB, the normal electrical activity turns into the heart into chaotic electrical signals, according to the Maryland -based cardiologist. This ensures that the heart beats quickly and comes out of the rhythm.
Instead of normally contracting, the upper rooms of the heart – called atria – begin to vibrate, causing blood clots to form.
“When these clots come loose, they can travel to the brain and cause a stroke,” Serwer warned.
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For many people, AFIB may not have any symptoms, but for some it can cause a fast or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath or light in the head.
“Afib can be a challenge because of his various manifestations,” Serwer noted.
According to the cardiologist, there are various procedural approaches to treat atrial fibrillation.
There are several treatment options for AFIB, which is not always life threatening. (Istock)
The most common procedure is called ablation, that is when a specialized cardiologist Katheters uses to follow the electrical activity of the heart. The doctor then burns the sites where the AFIB starts.
“This procedure has a high success and complications are low, making it a highly appreciated option,” Serwer noted.
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If a patient undergoes an open heart surgery for coronary arteries or valvular heart disease, a surgeon can perform a “maze procedure” that creates a “maze-like pattern of scar tissue” in the upper room of the heart to block irregular electrical signals, according to Mayo Clinic.
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There are also procedures to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have AFIB, but who may not be able to take blood thinners.
By placing a small device where blood clots form, the speed of a stroke falls considerably, Serwer said.
AFIB can cause a fast, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath or light in the head. (Istock)
In some cases of atrial fibrillation, the condition can come and go, but other patients can experience persistent AFIB, the cardiologist said.
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Although it is usually not life -threatening, AFIB is still considered a serious medical condition that requires good treatment.
Serwer advised: “If you experience sudden dizziness or palpitations that persist, it is necessary to seek an immediate evaluation of a medical professional.”
