Is Catheter Ablation Right for You?

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure which may treat atrial fibrillation. It may help you relieve AF symptoms and improve quality of life. Your doctor may decide that you are a candidate for catheter ablation if:

• You have symptoms of atrial fibrillation that do not respond to at least one drug for that condition
• You cannot tolerate medications for atrial fibrillation

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.

Next: Your Healthcare Team

Your Healthcare Team

Several types of doctors treat people with atrial fibrillation, but electrophysiologists specialise in catheter ablation. An electrophysiologist, or EP, is a heart doctor that focuses on heart rhythms. A good first step is to see your general practitioner (GP). He or she may refer you to a specialist for more evaluation. Specialists you might see include:

• Cardiologist – A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in the heart and blood vessels
• Electrophysiologist – A cardiologist who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heartbeats, including when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in a way that inefficiently pumps blood as in atrial fibrillation

These doctors will communicate with your general practitioner (GP) about your diagnosis and treatment for atrial fibrillation. They are key partners in the management of your atrial fibrillation. It’s important to talk to members of your healthcare team about the tests and procedures they recommend. Discuss any concerns you have and ask questions if you don’t fully understand something.

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.

Next: What To Expect

The Procedure: What to Expect – Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure. If your doctor has advised you that catheter ablation may be the best treatment for your atrial fibrillation, you may have some questions about what to expect before, during and after the catheter ablation procedure.

How do I prepare for catheter ablation?

Your doctor may request some routine tests such as an ECG, X-rays, blood tests, and transesophageal echocardiogram on the day of your procedure if you do not have them done in advance. In most cases, you will be asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your procedure.

Your doctor will advise you about continuing or stopping any medications you are taking. Be sure to notify your doctor if you have any health changes before your procedure.

What should I expect during catheter ablation?

Catheter ablation is performed by an electrophysiologist (EP), a heart doctor who specialises in heart rhythms. During the procedure, you’ll receive fluids and any necessary medication through an intravenous (IV) line inserted in your arm. You may either be anaesthetised (“put to sleep”) or sedated for the procedure.

A local anaesthetic will be applied to the site where the ablation catheters will be inserted. In most cases, the major blood vessel in your groin is used for catheterisation. Blood vessels in your arm, chest, or neck area may also be used for catheterisation.

Your electrophysiologist will carefully maneuver the catheter(s) through the blood vessel to your left atrium. The catheter in the left atrium is used to map the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart tissue. When the targeted area is located, the distal end of the catheter delivers either RF or cryo energy to the isolate the abnormal electrical pathway that is causing the atrial fibrillation.

When the procedure is completed, the catheters are removed and pressure is applied to the catheter insertion site to prevent bleeding.

What is the recovery like?

In most cases you will stay overnight for observation. You may feel some minor soreness in your chest, or bruising or soreness at the insertion site. When you return home, you may have to limit your activity for a couple of days but most patients return to their normal routines quickly. Your doctor will talk to you about any activities you may have to avoid while you are healing.

How will the procedure affect my lifestyle?

After a successful procedure, most people improve their quality of live and can return to a normal, active lifestyle. In some cases, individuals need a repeat procedure to achieve full success.

Where can I find more information?

There are many resources available for you about living with atrial fibrillation:

• Heart Rhythm Society(opens new window)
• Canadian Heart Rhythm Society(opens new window)
• StopAfib.org(opens new window), a patient to patient website

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.

Next: Living With The Therapy

Personal Stories

Read about the experiences of people who have received catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. You’ll learn first-hand what life was like for these particular patients, both before and after their procedures.

Anton’s Story

As a real estate investor with a passion for sailing, Anton needed to be alert, healthy and ready to move whenever the wind changed direction, on the market or on the water. Long solo sailing trips on the open ocean were a regular part of his life, but troubling signs of a heart problem added an unwelcome element of danger in recent years. After several episodes of an irregular heartbeat, weakness and shortness of breath over a period of half a year, Anton was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF). 
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Dick’s Story

Dick has always led an active lifestyle including competitive tennis, golfing, and biking. He was not ready to let the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation to slow him down at age 70. Dick was prescribed AF medication to treat his AF, but he wanted a more permanent solution.
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Gordy’s Story

Gordy remembers when his heart palpitations started over 10 years ago. His heart would pound rapidly for a few beats or a few minutes, then stop by itself. “I could even feel the racing pulse in my finger tips,” described Gordy, age 74. “The episodes gradually became more frequent, lasted longer, and often woke me up at night.” Even though Gordy is a pathologist, a doctor specializing in diseases, it took a heart doctor friend to convince him to have some tests. 
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Jay’s Story

As a physician himself, Jay is very aware of every abnormal heartbeat and was diagnosed with AF at age 55. “Medication reduced the number of AF episodes at first” but left Jay with no energy or interest in doing anything else. Jay and his heart specialist discussed a catheter ablation procedure as an alternative to medication for treating AF. 
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