Catheter Ablation, a highly effective treatment for Wolff Parkinson-White Syndrome

Catheter ablation refers to a procedure performed to cure certain arrhythmias and correct electrical problems that may cause an abnormal heartbeat. It aims to destroy the source of abnormal electrical activity or the extra tissue causing arrhythmias. During this procedure, the energy is directed to extra tissue by inserting a catheter into the heart. The source of energy is usually a radio-frequency current. Used for curing genetic conditions associated with arrhythmias, catheter ablation is a highly effective treatment for Wolff Parkinson-White Syndrome.

What to expect from catheter ablation

Wolff Parkinson-White Syndrome develops an extra pathway that sends electrical syndrome from the major atrium to the ventricles, thus resulting in an abnormal heartbeat. Catheter ablation may also be performed to cure individuals who are suffering from chronic forms of arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation. To determine if a patient is a good candidate for ablation, physicians will review his medical history as well as his comprehensive medical exam. This allows physicians to determine if patients have underlying medical conditions that may result in complications when an ablation is performed.

Prior to the procedure, an EKG and echocardiogram will be performed to determine what areas of the heart the arrhythmia originates from. Usually, catheter ablation is performed while patients are awake but medication that helps them relax may also be administered. As the catheters are inserted into the major arteries, some of them are threaded to the heart while the remaining one has a camera to produce images of the heart. Another catheter will also be used to deliver radio-frequency currents to the extra tissue or other areas of the heart that may cause arrhythmias.

If you are concerned about the ability of ablation to destroy heart tissues, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that the amount it ablates is extremely small. It is usually around .2 inches so several studies continue to reveal a high success rate for the procedure. Patients who are suffering from medical conditions that affect their atrial rhythm also feel relieved to find out that the success rate of catheter ablation is approximately 90%. However, this procedure is only has a 70-80% success rate in curing arrhythmias originating from the ventricles.

As with other medical procedures that involve the heart, catheter ablation also carries some risks. Excessive bleeding may occur where the catheter are inserted. After the procedure, blood clots may also form and lead to infections. In rare cases, the area where the catheter was inserted can also be damaged. It may also result in pericarditis, another rare complication that refers to the inflammation of the heart sac. The amount of time you will need to recover from the procedure will greatly depend on your general health as well as your age.

After the catheter ablation, physicians will also require patients to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. This allows them to observe the patient for several hours and check whether other arrhythmias are present or excess bleeding occurred. If you did not experience complications, you will be discharged the same day of the procedure or you may be asked to stay overnight for subsequent monitoring. Most patients can already resume their day-to-day activities in a few days but it is still best to follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Types of ablation catheters
Cryoablation technology and radio-frequency energy are two of the most commonly used ablation catheters. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is widely used because it aims to destroy malfunctioning tissues that may cause abnormalities in heart rhythm. Both procedures are supervised by healthcare providers who specialize in curing cardiac conditions. They usually take place in hospitals or cardiac clinics where patients can also be monitored throughout the procedure. During the procedure, the doctor targets the origin of arrhythmias with cryoablation or radio-frequency catheters. Both devices aim to destroy malfunctioning tissues to stop them from sending bad signals.

RF catheters work by subjecting extra tissue to recommended doses of extreme heat, which may damage the cells and cauterize tissue to prevent it from growing back. On the other hand, cryoablation uses the opposite approach because it freezes the tissue to kills their cells and prevent re-growth. Both procedures used for catheter ablation also make use of fluoroscopy or ultrasound to monitor the patient’s heart as the procedure progresses. This helps doctors to ensure that the catheter was able to hit the right spot, thus allowing them to have more control over the entire procedure.

When choosing from the different types of ablation catheters, it is best to consider the experience of the doctor and the preferences of the patient. Some doctors prefer using certain tools for catheter ablation based on the type of training they received and the experience they had in this specific area of medical care. Some patients may also need a specific kind of catheter due to underlying medical conditions. Doctors need to exercise great caution if patients use pacemakers because they may malfunction and create complications. These devices may also need to be deactivated for safety reasons.

Atrial fibrillation ablation
Atrial fibrillation refers to a condition in which the heart beats abnormally due to bad signals origination from the atria. It can be marked by either short or long periods of arrhythmias. Recent studies suggest certain methods of cardiac catheter ablation in helping people who are experiencing prolonged periods of abnormal heartbeat. Performed by cardiologists who specialize in curing abnormal heart rhythm, ablation also works well with other medical conditions that may affect heart rhythm. It applies radio-frequency to areas of the heart where the arrhythmias originate to eliminate bad signals and allow the heart to beat normally.

Since 2010, preliminary evidence already suggests that atrial fibrillation ablation may prove effective for some people suffering from arrhythmias. As with other medical procedure, it may also cause certain complications such as damage to the major pulmonary veins. Some studies suggest that its effects do not always last so people may need to undergo more than one ablation to regulate their heartbeat. Despite these risks, ablation remains popular because it decreases the risk of stroke. Although catheter ablation continues to exhibit a high rate of success, electro-physiologists persist on looking for ways to minimize its risks.
We hope this article give you more idea about Catheter Ablation

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