Paul Raisig

In late December 2006, Paul Raisig, 74, began feeling a throbbing in the side of his throat and a slight pain in his chest. Tests showed that he had four blocked coronary arteries and atrial fibrillation.

Raisig became one of the first 10 patients at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on whom Andy C. Kiser, M.D., performed his new Ex-Maze procedure to correct atrial fibrillation. Immediately following that 30-minute procedure, John Streitman, M.D., performed quadruple bypass surgery to restore normal blood flow to Raisig’s heart.

After nine months, Raisig, who lives in Harnett County, N.C., remains free of atrial fibrillation—with no more chest pain and no more throbbing in his throat.

According to Dr. Kiser, some patients with atrial fibrillation may never have symptoms related to their disease while others are completely debilitated. These people may be unable to live their life normally because they develop a heart rate that is too rapid when they exercise or they may have severe shortness of breath with exertion.

“I am very pleased with everything that was done,” Raisig said. “Everyone was so professional; I’m sure I would not be here today if it hadn’t been for them.”

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