What is cardiac ablation?
Cardiac ablation, a common atrial fibrillation treatment, uses heat, extreme cold (cryoballoon) or a laser to create scar tissue that disrupts the abnormal electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats.
The types of catheter ablation include:
- Radiofrequency ablation uses an oscillating electrical current to create heat, which scars targeted heart tissue to stop it from producing faulty electrical signals.
- Cryoablation uses extreme cold to create scarring.
- Laser ablation uses a laser to scar the heart tissue.
Types of cardiac ablation
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Catheter ablation
Catheter ablation
Catheter ablation is the most common way to treat atrial fibrillation. It is a minimally invasive procedure that requires only small punctures of the leg veins. The procedure sends tubes called catheters through the blood vessels to the heart. Your cardiologist will use X-ray guidance or 3D mapping to see the catheter in real-time. Once your cardiologist pinpoints the source of the abnormal electrical signals, they use a catheter with an energy-producing surface to scar the tissue.
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Maze procedure
Maze procedure
The Maze procedure may be a good treatment option if you need open-heart surgery for another condition, such as heart valve disease. Working through an incision in your chest, the surgeon will make scars in the left atrium, one of your heart’s two upper chambers, to stop abnormal signals.
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Hybrid ablation
Hybrid ablation
Hybrid ablation combines elements of catheter ablation and surgical ablation. It involves making small incisions in the chest and using a catheter to modify the heart tissue responsible for AFib.
Catheter ablation
Catheter ablation is the most common way to treat atrial fibrillation. It is a minimally invasive procedure that requires only small punctures of the leg veins. The procedure sends tubes called catheters through the blood vessels to the heart. Your cardiologist will use X-ray guidance or 3D mapping to see the catheter in real-time. Once your cardiologist pinpoints the source of the abnormal electrical signals, they use a catheter with an energy-producing surface to scar the tissue.
Maze procedure
The Maze procedure may be a good treatment option if you need open-heart surgery for another condition, such as heart valve disease. Working through an incision in your chest, the surgeon will make scars in the left atrium, one of your heart’s two upper chambers, to stop abnormal signals.
Hybrid ablation
Hybrid ablation combines elements of catheter ablation and surgical ablation. It involves making small incisions in the chest and using a catheter to modify the heart tissue responsible for AFib.
Conditions treated with cardiac ablation
In addition to AFib, your cardiologist may recommend catheter ablation to treat heart arrhythmias, including:
- Atrial flutter: An abnormally fast heart rhythm similar to atrial fibrillation
- Supraventricular tachycardia: A rapid heart rate due to abnormal signals in the heart’s upper chambers
Benefits of cardiac ablation
If medication isn’t effectively addressing your AFib, cardiac ablation can provide an alternative solution to help your heart beat correctly and support your overall health. With catheter ablation, you have access to a treatment that doesn’t require a large incision and has a faster recovery time than open surgery.
What to expect from cardiac ablation
With both a catheter and surgical ablation, it’s important to follow your physician’s pre-procedure instructions. For example, you may need to stop taking certain medications and avoid eating or drinking several hours before your procedure.
On the day of the procedure, ensure a friend or family member can drive you to and from the hospital. You’ll receive general anesthesia during the procedure, which may take several hours to wear off. After a catheter ablation, you may go home the same day or spend one night in the hospital. You’ll likely need to spend several days in the hospital following surgical ablation.
When you return home, follow your physician’s instructions for recovery. These may include taking a blood thinner to protect against blood clots. Report any side effects or arrhythmia symptoms to your physician.
Other atrial fibrillation treatment options
Atrial fibrillation treatment often starts with making healthy lifestyle changes and taking medications. However, a procedure or surgery may make sense if those measures aren’t successful.
Cardiac ablation can successfully treat and reduce many types of irregular heartbeats, but it’s not right for everyone. Your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon may recommend one of the following treatments instead of ablation: