Sunday, September 21, 2014

Catheter Ablation {The Procedure}

 

Thanks for your prayers!

Here is a description of the procedure that I will undergo tomorrow morning.

diagram

What Is Catheter Ablation?

Catheter ablation (ab-LA-shun) is a medical procedure used to treat some types ofarrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah). An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.

During catheter ablation, a series of catheters (thin, flexible wires) are put into a blood vessel in your arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck. The wires are guided into your heart through the blood vessel.

A special machine sends energy to your heart through one of the catheters. The energy destroys small areas of heart tissue where abnormal heartbeats may cause an arrhythmia to start.

Catheter ablation often involves radiofrequency (RF) energy. This type of energy uses radio waves to produce heat that destroys the heart tissue. Studies have shown that RF energy works well and is safe.

 

  • Overview

To understand catheter ablation, it helps to understand how the heart works. The heart's electrical system controls the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat.

Normally, with each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads from the top of your heart to the bottom. As it travels, the electrical signal causes your heart to contract and pump blood. The process repeats with each new heartbeat. (For more information, go to the Health Topics How the Heart Works article.)

A problem with any part of this process can cause an arrhythmia. Catheter ablation is one of several arrhythmia treatments. Your doctor may recommend ablation if:

  • The medicines you take don't control your arrhythmia.
  • You can't tolerate the medicine your doctor has prescribed for your arrhythmia.
  • You have certain types of arrhythmia. (Your doctor can tell you whether catheter ablation can help treat your arrhythmia.)
  • You have faulty electrical activity in your heart that raises your risk of ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). V-fib is a life-threatening arrhythmia. SCA is a condition in which your heart suddenly stops beating.

Catheter ablation has some risks. Bleeding, infection, and pain may occur at the catheter insertion site. More serious problems include blood clots and puncture of the heart. Your doctor will explain the risks to you.

Cardiologists (heart specialists) sometimes do ablation during open-heart surgery. This method isn't as common as catheter ablation, which doesn't require surgery to open the chest.

 

  • Outlook

Catheter ablation alone doesn't always restore a normal heart rate and rhythm. You may need other treatments as well. Also, some people who have the procedure may need to have it done again. This can happen if the first procedure doesn't fully correct the problem.

Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ablation/

Cardiac Ablation, y’all!

12 comments:

  1. Prayers for you, Jay and your family and friends who are affected by this. Please give us frequent updates, we care! Hugs!

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  2. Prayers are with you Ron! Hope all goes well.

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  3. Ron, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and sending lots of prayers and big hugs!
    xx,
    Sherry

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  4. Big hugs and best wishes for you tomorrow Ron. You will do great. Praying.
    Kris

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  5. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. My husband had that procedure done a few years ago but it did not help his condition. His condition was different from yours I think. He has pvc's but the doctor was not able to reach the exact area to treat it because it was so deep in the heart. His procedure lasted many hours. I'm sure your condition will be helped by it though because it is the most common. Don't you have svt's? I've had that myself before but it doesn't last long and it doesn't happen frequently. Good luck tomorrow!!!!

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  6. Sending you a hug, Ron....and sending up my prayers! From one nut to another (acorn). xo Diana

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  7. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow Ron...I'm sure all will go well!! Keep us posted my friend!

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  8. Praying my sweet friend. Remember that periodic table!! In the meantime I will be praying over toy and Brooke!! "I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow!" 😘

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  9. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. The procedure sounds like a great option. Will be waiting to hear how it went, Hugs, Liz

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  10. Ron, I will be praying for you and your doctor(s) today for a successful ablation and a quick and full recovery. Take care and will be waiting for news. xoxo

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  11. That sounds like what my doctor suggested for me. She said it basically shocks the heart to reset it. It's all too scary for me. You are so brave and I am so please to hear you are in recovery and resting.

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  12. Ron, I pray that everything went great!

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