Cardiac ablation

Cardiac Ablation is a medical procedure that is used to treat heart arrhythmia, specifically conditions such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. The procedure involves the use of catheters to deliver energy that destroys small areas of heart tissue that are causing the abnormal heart rhythms.

Procedure

The procedure is performed by a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical system of the heart, known as an electrophysiologist. The patient is sedated, and a local anesthetic is applied to the area where the catheters will be inserted, usually in the groin. The catheters are then guided through the blood vessels to the heart, where they are used to map the electrical signals of the heart. Once the source of the arrhythmia is located, energy is delivered through the catheter to ablate, or destroy, the problematic heart tissue.

The energy used in cardiac ablation can be one of several types, including radiofrequency energy, cryoablation (freezing), or laser energy. The choice of energy source depends on the specific type of arrhythmia being treated, the location of the problematic tissue, and the patient's overall health.

Risks and Complications

Like any medical procedure, cardiac ablation carries some risks. These can include bleeding or infection at the site where the catheters were inserted, damage to the heart or blood vessels, and the possibility of the arrhythmia returning. In rare cases, complications can be serious or even life-threatening.

Aftercare

After the procedure, patients are usually monitored in the hospital for a few hours to a few days, depending on the specific procedure and the patient's overall health. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days. Regular follow-up appointments with the cardiologist are necessary to monitor the patient's heart rhythm and overall health.

See Also

• Electrophysiology study
• Cardiac catheterization
• Heart arrhythmia

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