Cardiac ablation is a procedure in which your doctor will access your heart through a blood vessel. A catheter (a long, steerable tube) will enter the vessel and be placed in your heart where diagnostic devices will be used to determine the area of the heart that needs to be treated. The doctor will use the catheter to apply energy to the targeted heart tissue. This will isolate the area from the rest of the heart and prevent it from producing AFib.
You will receive detailed instructions from your care team to prep for your procedure. Most likely, your team will ask you to:
After you are under anesthesia, your doctor will make a small incision in the upper thigh and insert a small, thin tube, also known as a sheath, into the blood vessel. Your doctor will then gently guide a thin, flexible catheter into your vessel (using the sheath as a guide) to access your heart.
After accessing your heart, your physician will use a mapping catheter to create a 3D model of your heart and record its electrical activity. Next, your physician will use a special type of catheter called an ablation catheter–which transmits radiofrequency (RF) energy into the heart–to block irregular signals that cause AFib until a normal heart rhythm is restored.
You will be taken back to your room for recovery, where your physician will check on you and provide specific instructions to follow. Expect to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring and safety precautions. There may be some restriction on activities for about a week after your procedure. Follow all guidance from your physician accordingly.
Sodium-channel or potassium-channel blockers can help control the rhythm of your heart.
Beta blockers can help slow or control your heart rate.
Blood thinners can help prevent or treat clots.
Some people use these medications before their procedures. Some find that after a period of time—about a year—they no longer work. Medications may also come with their own set of side effects. There’s a good chance you will have medicine prescribed to you immediately following your procedure, for a time.
If you are considering an alternative to long-term or life-long anticoagulants (blood thinners), your doctor may recommend LAAO. This treatment may be an option for you if you:
LAAO is a minimally invasive treatment, and is not open heart surgery. The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours and it takes place in a heart catheterization lab. Your doctor will provide anesthesia or sedation as needed to ensure you don’t feel pain or discomfort. The procedure involves inserting a catheter through a small incision, and the physician navigating the device through the vein to the implant site within the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). Once the device is placed in the LAA, the doctor confirms its position using cardiac imaging systems and then releases it to remain permanently in the LAA. The catheter is removed and the procedure is completed.
DISCUSS ALL TREATMENT OPTIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Your doctor can describe the risks and benefits and help you decide which option is right for you.
Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Reduce salts and fats. You may also have some dietary restrictions if you are on certain medications.
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can keep your heart in its best shape.
Many aspects of your lifestyle can contribute to heart health. Managing your stress, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, avoiding caffeine or stimulants, and treating underlying health issues, such as sleep apnea, can improve your quality of life.
Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with a physician or qualified healthcare provider for appropriate medical advice.
