What is Cardiac Ablation?
Cardiac ablation is used in some heart rhythm disorders in today’s technology. Cardiac ablation is the process of finding the focus causing the heart rhythm disorder and then eliminating this diseased structure by giving or freezing radiofrequency (RF) energy.
How is Cardiac Ablation done?
Cardiac ablation is performed by administering local anesthesia to the inguinal region, similar to the coronary angiography procedure that most people are familiar with, and usually without general anesthesia with conscious awareness. It is sometimes performed under general anesthesia, depending on the type of heart rhythm disorder and the length of the procedure. The procedure usually ranges from one hour to three hours, but may take shorter or longer.
Figure 1: Cardiac Ablation with the Three-Dimensional System
Who is Cardiac Ablation performed and how is the success of the procedure?
Cardiac ablation procedure, in supraventricular tachycardias (palpitation type occurring in the heart’s ventricle) where the heart rate suddenly rises to 160-200/minute, in extra beats that can be almost in most people but sometimes the number is too high (>10,000 extra beats per day can tire the heart, treatment should definitely be tried! ), Atrial Fibrillation / Atrial Flutter disease, the frequency of which increases over the age of 40, and ventricular tachycardias, which can be fatal (a fatal rhythm disorder originating from the ventricle of the heart). The success of the procedure varies according to the type of rhythm disorder, and while there is 50-70% success in early diagnosis in atrial fibrillation, the success may decrease to 30-40% in the later stages of the disease. In supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter, the success rate rises to 90-95% and is currently recommended as first-line treatment before drug therapy. In ventricular tachycardias, it can vary between 50-70% depending on the cause and location of the palpitation. In extra pulses, the success rate of the procedure is generally above 85% if it is performed with three-dimensional systems.
Is radiation used in Cardiac Ablation?
Although radiation is used in the cardiac ablation process, ablation can be performed without using any radiation using the three-dimensional mapping system, and this decision varies according to the patient’s palpitation and the patient’s personal characteristics (three-dimensional ablation system is preferred in pregnant women or cancer patients).
Is Cardiac Ablation a dangerous procedure?
Cardiac ablation is generally a safe procedure. Complications include accumulation of blood in the inguinal region (1/100), accumulation of fluid around the heart (1/100), damage to the heart’s own electrical conduction system (1/100). The risk of death is less than 1/1000, and it is usually seen in people with serious comorbidities. Generally, our patients are discharged one day after cardiac ablation.
Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Adem TATLISU
