Ablation Treatment

• What is Ablation?

Ablation is a term used to describe a treatment for heart rhythm disorders which involves cauterising some of the heart muscle. This will reduce or abolish abnormal electrical activity from the heart and prevent abnormal heart rhythms.

• How is Ablation performed?

Most ablation procedures are performed via the femoral vein which is accessed from the top of the right leg. The doctor will use an X-ray camera to position electrodes in the heart and these will be connected externally to a computer system which enables analysis of the electrical activity from the heart. Usually this type of procedure is done with a sedative rather than a general anaesthetic. It can take between 45 minutes and 3 hours to perform an ablation procedure and typically patients can go home the same day.

Cryo-Ablation vs RF ablation
Radiofrequency ablation has been used for over 25 years in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders. This technique involves the delivery to heart muscle of radiofrequency energy, which is similar to microwave energy. This causes heating and ultimately scarring of a limited area of heart muscle. Cryo ablation has developed over the past 10 years and involves freezing of heart muscle with a catheter or a balloon containing nitrous oxide. Cryo ablation using a balloon is particularly effective for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
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To see a video of cryo ablation click here http://youtu.be/6K_GiGQisUk