Dr. Andrea Natale is the Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, Texas and an award-winning international leader in the field of electrophysiology. A tireless researcher and AFib pioneer, he is one of the preeminent heart arrhythmia specialists in the world. Natale’s work focuses on innovative advances in the treatment of atrial fibrillation — in particular in using catheter ablation. Dr. Natale also created a circumferential ultrasound pulmonary vein-ablation system to correct atrial fibrillation, and he performed it on the first five patients to ever receive the procedure.

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Restoring AFib patients’ normal heart rhythm has not only helped improve their quality of life, heart function, and exercise capacity, but it’s also reduced their need to be on medication over the long term. Dr. Natale’s work on AFib extends beyond this, as well. His pioneering work also developed some of the current catheter-based treatments for atrial fibrillation, and he was the first cardiac electrophysiologist in the U.S. to perform percutaneous epicardial radiofrequency ablation for patients for whom conventional ablation has failed. Natale studied medicine and surgery in Florence, Italy, graduating in 1985, and did his Board certifications in the U.S. In addition to his work with patients, Dr. Natale holds several faculty positions at research universities, among them Stanford and Duke. In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of several medical journals, including the Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, where he is editor-in-chief and has authored or co-authored hundreds of articles on electrophysiology and pacing. A researcher on the forefront of medical innovation, Dr. Natale has also patented a device for atrial fibrillation ablation and was the first physician in the United States to perform percutaneous epicardial radiofrequency ablation, a procedure for patients who fail conventional ablation. Natale’s goal is to improve patient care through both training future electrophysiologists and developing innovative advances in technologies — such as robotic devices and highly specialized ablation catheters. He says his greatest reward is restoring patients to a life without atrial fibrillation. Watch Cardio Visual’s exclusive video of Dr. Natale discuss the benefits and effective uses of the Advisor HD Grid Catheter in the treatment of complex atrial arrhythmias and offer some case discussions.