Cardiac Ablation

The heart maintains a constant rhythm that is controlled by a consistent flow of electricity. A disruption of this electrical pathway as a result of short circuits could lead to an irregular heart rhythm. There are surgical as well as non-surgical methods for treating heart rhythm problems.

Heart rhythm problems can be a cause of worry if medicines that are prescribed do not fit into the rhythm exactly or may be due to a change in lifestyle.

Cardiac ablation is used commonly to correct heart rhythm problems and is conducted by a cardiac ablation specialist, also known as an Electro physiologist. This technique is less invasive than open heart surgery to correct heart rhythm problems and is preferred by many doctors and patients alike.

The use of catheters

The most important part of this technique is the use of catheters for sending the radiofrequency signals to specific regions of the heart. The catheters that are used should, therefore, be extremely easy to manoeuvre and to handle. This will allow easy access to the right cells of the heart. Another important note in this regards is that these catheters should be easy to control, as certain critical areas of the heart like the atrioventricular node are sites that should be treated with extreme caution and care. The use of curved catheters will further enhance the manoeuvrability of the catheter in reaching the required regions of the heart. As the cardiac ablation procedure uses catheters, this procedure is also termed as catheter ablation by many.

The radiofrequency signal and how it works

The next important factor in the cardiac ablation procedure is the use of radiofrequency that is used to cause thermal injury to the cells that contribute to the heart rhythm problems. When these cells are ablated, the electric signals of the heart function as normal, resulting in the heart rhythm getting back to normal. The radiofrequency is transferred through the catheter as the catheters offer low resistance. When the radiofrequency signals come into contact with the heart cells, it results in the generation of heat. A temperature of 50 degree Celsius is generally required for the targeted cells to be destroyed.

Use of Cardiac ablation procedure

Cardiac ablation procedure is used in correcting heart rhythm problems like

• Supraventricular Tachycardia
• Ventricular Tachycardia

Different types of Cardiac ablation procedure

There are two different types of cardiac ablation procedures that are employed.

• Temperature controlled
• Fluid cooled

Temperature controlled cardiac ablation procedure employs a technique where the temperature is fixed between the limits 55-65 degree Celsius. The radio frequency generator automatically adjusts the Watts depending upon the temperature that is required. The data like temperature, power and the impedance is visible on a laptop screen or any other monitor that is attached to the system. The system will also allow the doctor to identify if there is contact with the tissue and will therefore aid in ensuring that the procedure is completed successfully.

Fluid cooled cardiac ablation procedure has been designed to lower the risk of a rise in impedance. This is accomplished by using saline at room temperature to cool the electrode tip. This procedure aids in delivering higher total energy which will help in treating arrythmogenic circuits that are present deep within the ventricles. Such deeply placed ablations will be difficult to identify and therefore would require this form of technique to be performed.

Cardiac ablation risks

There is a certain amount of risk involved while performing the cardiac ablation procedure. Though catheters are considered safe and are relatively less invasive than other procedures, catheters could scrape blood vessel walls and cause bleeding. Sometimes the heart is also at a risk of being punctured.

Cardiac ablation risks could also include damage that may be caused to the heart's rhythm that could make the situation worse. Further, there are chances of blood clots caused that could lead to fatality.

Cardiac ablation risks are compounded or are more likely to occur if one is affected with diabetes or suffers from a kidney ailment. Patients over 75 years of age are also at an increased risk of being affected.

Cardiac ablation recovery

Cardiac ablation recovery is usually fast and the patient is made to lie still for a period of 4-6 hours to prevent excess bleeding at the site of insertion of the catheter. Very rarely the doctor might require the patient to stay overnight.

Cardiac ablation success rate

The cardiac ablation success rate is very high and so this is the preferred treatment method for many heart rhythm ailments. Cardiac ablation success rate varies depending upon the degree of correction that is involved.

In certain cases the cardiac ablation procedure would have to be repeated if the previous attempts do not successfully address the problem. Certain kinds of heart rhythm problems would also require supportive procedures to correct the signals for example in ventricular tachycardia cardiac ablation is coupled with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) frequently.

Cardiac ablation is a commonly practiced procedure and there are many cardiac ablation videos that can help one understand the process and the steps involved. This treatment process has been found to be successful in most cases and has been shown to limit the need for an open heart surgery or the requirement to take drugs for prolonged periods.

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