Minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain types of abnormal heart rhythms, known as cardiac arrhythmias. During the procedure, thin, flexible tubes called catheters are inserted into a blood vessel (usually in the groin or arm) and guided to the heart. Once in the heart, the catheters are used to deliver energy, typically in the form of radiofrequency or cryotherapy, to destroy (ablate) small areas of heart tissue that are causing the abnormal electrical signals responsible for the arrhythmia.
Here’s an overview of the catheter ablation procedure:
Preparation: Before the procedure, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, including a medical history review, physical examination, and possibly additional tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or cardiac MRI. The patient may need to stop certain medications prior to the procedure.
Anesthesia: Catheter ablation is usually performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area where the catheters will be inserted. In some cases, sedation or general anesthesia may also be used to help the patient relax or sleep during the procedure.
Insertion of Catheters: The catheters are inserted into a blood vessel (usually the femoral vein in the groin or the subclavian vein in the arm) and carefully threaded through the blood vessels to reach the heart. X-ray or other imaging techniques are used to guide the catheters to the precise location within the heart where the arrhythmia originates.
Mapping: Specialized catheters with electrodes at their tips are used to map the electrical activity of the heart and identify the specific areas causing the arrhythmia. High-resolution mapping systems create detailed maps of the heart’s electrical signals, helping the electrophysiologist pinpoint the target area for ablation.
Ablation: Once the target area is identified, the catheter delivers energy (such as radiofrequency energy or extreme cold from cryotherapy) to create small scars or lesions on the heart tissue. These lesions disrupt the abnormal electrical pathways responsible for the arrhythmia, restoring normal heart rhythm.
Monitoring: Throughout the procedure, the patient’s heart rhythm and vital signs are continuously monitored to ensure safety and efficacy.
Assessment and Post-procedure Care: After the ablation is completed, the catheters are removed, and pressure is applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. The patient is typically monitored for a period of time in a recovery area before being transferred to a regular hospital room or discharged home.
Catheter ablation is generally safe and effective for treating a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, including supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial fibrillation (AFib), atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia (VT).