Catheter Ablation is a procedure in which small tissue foci in the heart that produce abnormal electrical signals causing palpitations and rhythm disorders (arrhythmia) are permanently destroyed by heating (radiofrequency) or freezing (cryoablation) using thin tubes (catheters) advanced through blood vessels in the groin or neck.
✓Catheter Ablation
Ablation treatment, also known as Catheter Ablation, is a treatment method that enables permanent correction of heart rhythm disorders. Its basic principle is based on the focal elimination of the area that disrupts electrical signals going to the heart muscles. By eliminating the problematic area causing the rhythm disorder, the heart rhythm returns to normal.
✓Who Can Receive Ablation Treatment?
Ablation is a valuable treatment method especially for patients who do not respond to drug therapy or who experience problems due to side effects of medications. If the problem causing the heart rhythm disorder can be eliminated with ablation, people of any age group can receive ablation treatment and be relieved of arrhythmia problems.
✓What Are the Types of Ablation?
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a simple procedure performed without requiring serious surgery, using an angiography-style approach. In catheter ablation, the doctor directs a thin and flexible tube called a catheter through the blood vessels in your neck or leg to your heart. The catheter reaches the area causing the arrhythmia and destroys the relevant cells, thereby allowing the heartbeat to return to normal.
Catheter ablation has two types called radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation.
Radiofrequency Ablation: The doctor applies treatment by sending radiofrequency energy using a catheter, creating circular marks around each blood vessel or group of blood vessels.
Cryoablation: In this type, tissues are frozen and damaged through a single catheter, treating the arrhythmia.
Cardiac Surgery
Surgical ablation is performed with an operation that requires opening the patient's chest. It has three main types:
Maze Procedure: Your doctor uses this method when performing open heart surgery for another reason such as bypass or valve replacement. In this method, small incisions are made in the upper part of the heart.
Mini Maze: Many people with atrial fibrillation do not require open heart surgery. For these individuals, a less invasive type called mini maze method is used. During the operation, the doctor; makes a few small cuts between the patient's ribs and places a video camera or small robot in your chest to perform catheter ablation and creates scar tissue that can help keep your heartbeat in the correct rhythm.
Convergent Procedure: In this method, the doctor uses radiofrequency ablation on the pulmonary veins and the surgeon makes a small incision under your breastbone to use radiofrequency energy outside your heart.
PFA (Pulsed Field Ablation)
PFA (Pulsed Field Ablation) method is effective by applying high-frequency and short-duration high energy to the tissue causing heart rhythm disorder, unlike classical ablation methods that use heat or cold energy.
✓How Is Ablation Performed?
In the first stage of the ablation process, the patient is given a sedative drug through blood vessels. If surgery is to be performed, the patient is put to sleep with anesthesia. If there is no surgical intervention, giving only a sedative is sufficient.
If catheter ablation is to be performed, the doctor reaches the heart with a catheter by accessing a blood vessel in the groin, neck, or arm. During the procedure, your doctor may use electrodes or dye to find the cause of your arrhythmia and destroy abnormal tissue.
The surgical ablation process is a more detailed procedure. After the doctor puts the patient to sleep with general anesthesia, the chest cage is opened for the maze procedure. During the procedure, the patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to maintain blood flow. In surgical ablations where opening the chest cage is not necessary, small incisions are made in one or several places on the chest to allow the use of ablation instruments.
✓Is Ablation Surgery Risky?
In the medical world, every procedure has certain risks, more or less. The risks of cardiac ablation vary depending on the type of ablation and why it is being performed. Possible risks include:
✓Among the possible risks of ablation surgery are; bleeding or infection at the site where the catheter is placed, blood vessel damage, heart valve damage, different types of irregular heart rhythm, slow heart rate that may require the use of a pacemaker, blood clots in the legs or lungs, stroke, or heart attack.
✓The doctor performs an evaluation specific to the patient's condition, shares the possible risks with the patient, and decides whether to proceed with the procedure.
✓How Is the Right Cardiac Ablation Type Selected for the Patient?
To select the right type of cardiac ablation for the patient, the doctor evaluates the cause of the arrhythmia, whether you have symptoms, and your likelihood of developing heart disease.
✓Different ablation types target different areas of the heart. The patient is discharged on the day of catheter ablation procedure or within a few days. If surgical ablation is performed, the patient's recovery takes up to 3 months.
✓For many people with arrhythmia, non-surgical ablations generally yield successful results. When the first intervention is not successful, the desired result is often achieved on the second attempt.
✓What Diseases Does Ablation Treat?
Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
Atrial fibrillation, known as Afib, is considered the most common reason for heart ablation. Thanks to ablation treatment, it reduces the risk of blood clot formation that atrial fibrillation can cause and the stroke that can result from a clot traveling to the brain.
✓Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter means reaching a faster heart rate than normal. Like Afib, it carries the risk of blood clots and stroke. Ablation treatment is aimed at preventing these problems.
✓Supraventricular Tachycardia
Heartbeats reaching 300 per minute are known as supraventricular tachycardia and cause the heart to beat very fast. This condition can cause heart damage and certain symptoms.
✓Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a situation where the heart beats very fast, blood does not fill the body, and does not allow enough time for pumping. This problem can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
After Catheter Ablation, many patients are discharged on the same day. If an overnight stay is desired, during this period a nurse regularly monitors your heart rate and blood pressure. To prevent bleeding at the site where your skin was cut, you must remain flat and motionless.
Before discharge, the doctor usually prescribes medication to the patient to prevent blood clots and arrhythmia. These medications are used at the frequency and dosage recommended by the doctor over a 2-month period following the operation. Unless the doctor says otherwise, you can shower at home without getting the incision areas wet. For approximately 5 days after the operation or until the incision sites heal, swimming is not recommended.
The process following surgical ablation surgery, which requires opening the chest, is similar to the process following bypass surgery. The patient recovers within three months. The complete resolution of the operation's effects can take up to 6 months.
What Does Ablation Mean?
Ablation is a procedure that treats arrhythmia by destroying abnormal electrical pathways in the heart. Radio waves or freezing techniques are used through a catheter.
Is the Patient Put to Sleep During Ablation?
Whether the patient is put to sleep during ablation depends on the ablation method to be used. In catheter treatment, anesthesia is usually not necessary. However, in surgically-based ablations, the patient is put to sleep.
What Is the Recovery Time After Ablation?
The recovery process after cardiac ablation usually takes a few weeks. Patients may experience short-term fatigue, mild pain, and palpitations. Rest, medication use, and regular doctor check-ups should not be neglected. Complete recovery may take several months.
Do Arrhythmias Still Occur After Ablation?
After ablation treatment, some patients may continue to experience arrhythmia. This condition may be temporary or may require additional treatment or a second ablation operation.
What Should Be Considered After Cardiac Ablation Procedure?
Rest and regular medication use are important after cardiac ablation. Besides this, the patient should avoid heavy physical activities and eat healthily. If problems such as sudden heart palpitations or pain occur, a doctor should be consulted without delay.