What is Catheter Ablation?
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctor advances a flexible thin tube (catheter) through the blood vessels to the heart to ablate (stop) abnormal electrical pathways (signals) in the heart tissue.
The following animation demonstrates how the catheter ablation process works.
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Disclaimer - This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.
In the case of atrial fibrillation that has not responded to medication, the doctor may recommend catheter ablation. Use these guides to aid in discussion with the treating physician or specialist.
Catheter-Based Procedures
The goal of catheter ablation is to prevent unwanted electrical currents from traveling from the pulmonary veins (blood vessels between the lungs and the heart) to the atria (the upper chambers of the heart). The standard ablation technique is called pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). During the procedure, catheters are used to ablate (stop) these abnormal electrical signals and prevent them from spreading and continuing to cause AF.
Different catheter-based ablation devices and techniques may be used. They generally fall into two categories, based on the type of energy they apply.
1. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is heat-based. Watch the video below to see how RF ablation works.
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Disclaimer - This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.
2. Cryoablation is cold-based. Watch the following video to see how cryoablation works.
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Disclaimer - This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.
LEARN MORE
Watch the following video to learn more about the differences between radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation.
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Disclaimer: This is one clinician's experience. Results may vary.
Keep in mind
Although many patients benefit from catheter ablation, results may vary. As with any medical procedure, there are benefits and risks. Your doctor can help you decide if catheter ablation is right for you.