Catheter Ablation: Procedure and Purpose
Catheter ablation is a method used to correct arrhythmia by destroying the heart tissues that trigger abnormal heart rhythm. In some cases, cardiac ablation blocks abnormal electrical signals from entering the heart thus preventing arrhythmia.
Ablation is broadly categorized into two types:
- Radiofrequency ablation which uses high energy radio frequency locally to make scars.
- Cryoablation, in which extremely low temperature is used to make a scar.
When is this procedure required?
Catheter ablation is a method used to correct heart rhythm for the following conditions:
- In cases where medication failed to cure the arrhythmia
- In cases where a patient is allergic to medicine recommended for arrhythmia
- In cases where the patient has a high risk of developing complications of arrhythmia like sudden cardiac arrest.
- In cases of arrhythmia which respond well to ablation like Wolff Parkinson white syndrome and supra Ventricular tachycardia
How is catheter ablation done?
Catheter ablation is performed sometimes through open heart surgery but is mainly done by inserting a catheter into the femoral artery or veins in the groin.
The catheter is usually long and flexible and is threaded to the heart in the form of energy which can either be hot or extremely cold to modify tissue that causes arrhythmia in the heart.
Types of cardiac ablators:
- Atrial flutter ablation: In Atrial flutter ablation scar tissues are created in the upper right chamber of the heart to block electrical signals which caused a fluttering heartbeat.
- Pulmonary vein isolation: In Pulmonary vein isolation scars tissues are created in the upper left chamber of the heart where the four Pulmonary veins connect.
- Supra Ventricular tachycardia ablation: supra Ventricular tachycardia ablation tissues are scared within the heart to prevent abnormal electrical signals and restore normal heart rhythm.
- Ventricular tachycardia ablation: Ventricular tachycardia ablation is useful for irregular heartbeat caused due to incorrect electrical signals in the lower Chambers of the heart
Preoperative care:
The doctor would suggest some blood test along with ECG, to know the present condition of the heart.
The patient is asked not to eat food at least 8 hours before the surgery.
Avoid wearing jewellery and other cosmetic products on the day of surgery.
What to expect during the procedure:
During the procedure of catheter ablation, a long flexible catheter is inserted either in arm, groin, upper thigh or neck after making that area numb.
The doctors will thread the catheter to the spot where they want to do the ablation.
Fluoroscopy is done to let the doctor know the exact location of the catheter in the heart.
The doctor aims the tip of the specialized catheter at a small part of the heart.
The catheter will either use radio frequency or extremely cold temperatures or laser light to create a scar called ablation line.
The scar will prevent transmission of abnormal electrical signals to prevent arrhythmia.
The catheter is then removed and the exposed area is covered by a bandage.
Post-operative care:
After the surgery, the patient is advised to stay overnight in the hospital for observation. During the stay in the hospital, the doctors monitor the heart rate and blood pressure.
Movement is restricted to prevent bleeding at the sites of catheter insertion.
It usually takes around 1-2 weeks to recover fully and re-assume daily activities.
Is this procedure safe?
Although this procedure is suggested for people who have no other choice to prevent arrhythmia, the risk involved with this procedure is quite high. The risks associated are:
- Bleeding
- Infections
- Damage to the heart
- Arrhythmia
- Blood clots
- Slight risk of cancer.
This procedure is contraindicated during pregnancy.
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