Cardiac Ablation FAQs
What is cardiac ablation?
Cardiac ablation is a nonsurgical procedure that uses a thin bendable wire called a therapeutic catheter. This catheter is placed through a patient's vein and into the heart where the electrical impulses of the heart can be studied and treated.
If the heart rhythm doctor detects abnormal heart rhythms, he or she can use therapeutic catheters that emit radio frequency waves and generate enough heat to produce a small scar on a specific part of the heart tissue. This blocks faulty electrical impulses that can cause heart rhythm disorders.
How does cardiac ablation cure common arrhythmias?
Cardiac ablation targets the areas of the heart that generate faulty electrical pulses that cause rapid heartbeat. By neutralizing and blocking these areas, the pulses are controlled and a normal heartbeat returns.
Who performs the cardiac ablation procedure?
The ablation procedure is performed by a heart rhythm specialist called an electrophysiologist (EP). An EP is a cardiologist (heart doctor) who has had specialized training in diagnosing and treating heart arrhythmias. Your primary physician or cardiologist can refer you to an EP.
The ablation procedure is performed by a heart rhythm specialist called an electrophysiologist (EP). An EP is a cardiologist (heart doctor) who has had specialized training in diagnosing and treating heart arrhythmias. Your primary physician or cardiologist can refer you to an EP.
What factors should I take into account when considering cardiac ablation as a treatment option?
Safety:
Cardiac ablation is a low-risk procedure that may cure the symptoms of your heart arrhythmia. In many cases, patients who have received an ablation procedure either experience a long-term reduction in the number of symptomatic episodes and severity of symptoms, or a permanent return to normal heart rhythm. Typically, they can return to their normal life and activities. However, as with any procedure, there are risks that potentially include bleeding or bruising, swelling, blood clots, a slow heart rhythm, or perforation of the heart muscle, blood vessel, or lung. This also means that medicines for controlling the arrhythmia can be reduced or stopped following successful cardiac ablation. Complications from medicines used to manage arrhythmias can include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and drug toxicity as well as more serious complications. The complication rate for ablation is a comparatively low 1.6%.
Efficacy:
The effectiveness is measured by percentage of success rate of each type of procedure. This chart shows comparison of success rates with the common rate, and rhythm control drug therapy to an ablation therapy.
Comparison: Percentage Success Rates of Each Type of Arrhythmia Treatment
- Ibutilide: 38-76% ****
- Dofetilide: 52-73% ***
- Amiodarone: 46-85%*
- Beta Blockers: 0%
- Verapamil; 0% **
- Digitalis: 38%
Radio frequency ablation: 95%
*41 percent had to discontinue due to side effects after 2 years. PULMONARY TOXICITY 1% PER YEAR
** Hypotension is the chief adverse even of this class of drug
*** Torsade de pointses, renal insufficiency
**** Drug therapy in chronic cases is unreliable
1999 Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of SVT Cost of treatment: Among patients with monthly episodes of common arrhythmias, ablation was the most cost-effective therapy. Compared to common, 2-drug therapy options, ablation also reduced lifetime medical expenditures by $27,900 compared with long-term drug therapy.*
*Ann Intern Med. 2000; 133: 864-876
Cost of treatment: Among patients with monthly episodes of common arrhythmias, ablation was the most cost-effective therapy. Compared to common, 2-drug therapy options, ablation also reduced lifetime medical expenditures by $27,900 compared with long-term drug therapy.*
*Ann Intern Med. 2000; 133: 864-876
