In cardiac ablation, surgical professionals apply heat and cold energy to the heart to create small scars. These scars block irregular and mistimed electric signals, allowing the heart to return to its normal beat and rhythm. The treatment is most commonly used in patients who have arrhythmias, which is a heart rhythm irregularity.
Ablation is most commonly performed using thin tubes called catheters, which are inserted into the patient’s veins or arteries to provide the treatment. However, surgeons may also perform ablation during some forms of cardiac surgery. Recent advances, such as the creation of an ablation array that uses independently activated ablation elements to provide more selective and targeted treatment, may change the way medical professionals perform ablation. However, there are currently five main types of ablation.
Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation
This involves the use of heat to destroy small areas of tissue located between the heart's lower and upper chambers, known as the AV node. AV ablation also requires the implantation of a pacemaker to help control the patient's heart rhythm following the procedure. Often considered the last resort for patients with atrial fibrillation, AV node ablation is implemented if the patient does not respond to other treatments. It involves the insertion of a catheter into the heart, done typically via a blood vessel in the groin. A sensor on the catheter’s tip is heated using radiofrequency energy, allowing it to destroy the electrical signaling connection in the node. A pacemaker is implanted following this procedure.
Atrial flutter ablation
This procedure creates scar tissue in the heart’s upper chamber. Again, this is done to block electrical signals that cause the heart to flutter. This fluttering occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat too quickly as a result of the signals received from the heart. Atrial flutter ablation should restore normal heart rhythm. The process is similar to AV node ablation in that a surgeon inserts a catheter into the patient’s groin that is directed to the heart. Heat energy is applied to the heart’s upper chambers, destroying the tissue that receives electrical signals. In this case, the patient does not need a pacemaker. The procedure takes from two to three hours.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation
Used to treat arrhythmia problems in the heart’s upper chambers, SVT ablation involves using heat and cold energy to create scar tissue. It’s used to treat several conditions, including atrial flutters, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia. It also involves the insertion of a catheter through the groin. Once the catheter reaches the heart, it emits either heat, cold, or laser energy to create scarring. The procedure takes from three to six hours and does not require a pacemaker.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation
This is usually conducted after other treatments fail to regulate the patient’s heartbeat. Again, it involves the insertion of a catheter, which a medical professional gently guides to the patient’s heart. The catheter then sends electrical impulses to the heart, which allows the patient’s healthcare provider to determine where best to apply the treatment. The process involves the use of heat or cold energy, depending on the patient’s situation, and takes from three to six hours. VT ablation can also treat irregularities from inside and outside the heart, with the latter involving the insertion of a needle through the chest, rather than implanting a catheter through the groin.
Pulmonary vein isolation
This type of ablation targets the left upper chamber of the heart, which is where the four main veins from a patient’s lungs connect. As with other ablation procedures, pulmonary vein isolation uses catheters and either heat or cold energy. However, the process is slightly more invasive as it involves inserting a catheter, guiding it to the heart’s upper right chamber, and then manoeuvering it to the upper left chamber. The process often causes mild discomfort, especially when the catheter is moved into the patient’s heart. It also carries several risks, including blood vessel damage, blood clots, and narrowing of the pulmonary veins.
Ablation is most commonly performed using thin tubes called catheters, which are inserted into the patient’s veins or arteries to provide the treatment. However, surgeons may also perform ablation during some forms of cardiac surgery. Recent advances, such as the creation of an ablation array that uses independently activated ablation elements to provide more selective and targeted treatment, may change the way medical professionals perform ablation. However, there are currently five main types of ablation.
Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation
This involves the use of heat to destroy small areas of tissue located between the heart's lower and upper chambers, known as the AV node. AV ablation also requires the implantation of a pacemaker to help control the patient's heart rhythm following the procedure. Often considered the last resort for patients with atrial fibrillation, AV node ablation is implemented if the patient does not respond to other treatments. It involves the insertion of a catheter into the heart, done typically via a blood vessel in the groin. A sensor on the catheter’s tip is heated using radiofrequency energy, allowing it to destroy the electrical signaling connection in the node. A pacemaker is implanted following this procedure.
Atrial flutter ablation
This procedure creates scar tissue in the heart’s upper chamber. Again, this is done to block electrical signals that cause the heart to flutter. This fluttering occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat too quickly as a result of the signals received from the heart. Atrial flutter ablation should restore normal heart rhythm. The process is similar to AV node ablation in that a surgeon inserts a catheter into the patient’s groin that is directed to the heart. Heat energy is applied to the heart’s upper chambers, destroying the tissue that receives electrical signals. In this case, the patient does not need a pacemaker. The procedure takes from two to three hours.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation
Used to treat arrhythmia problems in the heart’s upper chambers, SVT ablation involves using heat and cold energy to create scar tissue. It’s used to treat several conditions, including atrial flutters, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia. It also involves the insertion of a catheter through the groin. Once the catheter reaches the heart, it emits either heat, cold, or laser energy to create scarring. The procedure takes from three to six hours and does not require a pacemaker.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation
This is usually conducted after other treatments fail to regulate the patient’s heartbeat. Again, it involves the insertion of a catheter, which a medical professional gently guides to the patient’s heart. The catheter then sends electrical impulses to the heart, which allows the patient’s healthcare provider to determine where best to apply the treatment. The process involves the use of heat or cold energy, depending on the patient’s situation, and takes from three to six hours. VT ablation can also treat irregularities from inside and outside the heart, with the latter involving the insertion of a needle through the chest, rather than implanting a catheter through the groin.
Pulmonary vein isolation
This type of ablation targets the left upper chamber of the heart, which is where the four main veins from a patient’s lungs connect. As with other ablation procedures, pulmonary vein isolation uses catheters and either heat or cold energy. However, the process is slightly more invasive as it involves inserting a catheter, guiding it to the heart’s upper right chamber, and then manoeuvering it to the upper left chamber. The process often causes mild discomfort, especially when the catheter is moved into the patient’s heart. It also carries several risks, including blood vessel damage, blood clots, and narrowing of the pulmonary veins.
