Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
This is a medical procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation. During the procedure, small areas of the heart tissue that are causing the irregular electrical signals are destroyed or modified to prevent the signals from occurring. The goal is to create scar tissue in the heart that blocks the abnormal electrical signals and lets the heart return to its normal rhythm.
What to Expect
This procedure is performed in an electrophysiology lab which is similar to a cardiac catheterization lab. You are given a sedative to relax during the procedure and a local anesthetic to reduce pain at the catheter insertion site. A small incision is made in the femoral vein and a catheter is inserted and is guided up to the heart.
Once the catheter is in position, the electrophysiologist uses imaging techniques to guide the catheter to ears of the heart that are causing the abnormal electrical signals. The catheter is then used to deliver energy, either hot or cold, to modify or destroy the tissue in these areas.