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What is radiofrequency ablation?
Why would a doctor recommend radiofrequency ablation?
What does radiofrequency ablation involve?
How long is the recovery after radiofrequency ablation?
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation uses a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to discover what is causing an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Doctors then use a painless radio frequency energy source to destroy the electrical pathways causing the arrhythmia.
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Why would a doctor recommend radiofrequency ablation?
A doctor might recommend radiofrequency ablation if you have:
Normally, the four chambers of the heart (two atria and two ventricles) beat in a very specific, coordinated manner. This beating is guided by an electrical impulse from the body's natural pacemaker. An arrhythmia occurs when this pacemaker develops an abnormal rate or rhythm
Some types of arrythmias may be life-threatening if not treated. radiofrequency ablation is used to treat arrhythmias that can't be controlled with lifestyle changes or medications. It often eliminates the need for open-heart surgery in such cases.
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What does radiofrequency ablation involve?
The patient is awake and under local pain medicine as the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube—a catheter—into a vein, often near the groin or neck. Using a fluoroscope—an X-ray-like machine—the doctor guides the catheter to the heart.
Electrodes at the tip of the catheter gather data from the heart to find the spot where the abnormal heart tissue is misfiring. A painless radio frequency (similar to microwave heat) then destroys these carefully-selected heart muscle cells. This stops the area from producing the abnormal electrical impulse.
For patients with severe arrhythmia, ablation often is used with an implantable cardioverter device (ICD).
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How long is the recovery after radiofrequency ablation?
After the procedure, a patient must lie still for four to six hours to make sure the entry point incision begins to heal properly. The entire procedure causes little discomfort or pain, and the patient can resume normal activities in a few days.
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