Advanced Cardiac Electrophysiology Treatment
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
At Heartland Cardiovascular Center our electrophysiologists are at the forefront of treating patients with abnormal heart rhythms, including implantable cardiac defibrillators, and resynchronization therapy, as well as ablation for atrial fibrillation, supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia .
Atrial fibrillation:
Three million people in the U.S. have A-Fib. By the year 2050, the number will double. This year there will be over 200,000 new cases. Americans over 40 have a one in four lifetime risk of developing A-Fib.
Hypertension (high blood pressure), Valvular heart disease especially mitral stenois and mitral insufficiency increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. This is most likely due to increasing the left atrial pressure. Many people ("up to 50% of patients) get A-Fib after open heart surgery.
Heavy alcohol use might trigger A-Fib or what so called binge drinking. Extreme emotional or physical stress such as severe infections, severe pain, and illegal drug use can trigger A-Fib. Thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism), lung disease can cause AF. Familial A-Fib has been reported where A-Fib is passed on genetically but it is relatively rare. Some cases have been reported where antihistamines, bronchial inhalants, local anesthetics, tobacco use, caffeine (in coffee, tea, sodas). Chocolate in large amounts may trigger attacks.
Sleep apnea may contribute to A-Fib by triggering vagal response and bradycardia especiilay if you atrial fibrillation is occurring mostly at night.
Currently only a selected facilities nationwide offer ablation treatment for AF, leaving drug treatment as the only alternative for patients without access to ablation therapy. Many medications have a low success rate and are associated with multiple side-effects.
How Is AF Ablation Done?
Electrophysiologists access the veins in the neck and groin, inserting electrode heart catheters and advancing them into the heart under fluoroscopic X-ray guidance.
The physician guides the ablation catheter to tissue surrounding the pulmonary veins within the left atrium, and to other areas that start and maintain AF (figures 1, 2). Real time imaging of the heart and catheters is achieved with an ultrasound probe placed in the heart to visualize catheter placement and to monitor and prevent overheating from radiofrequency ablation, which may lead to complications (figure 3). Integration of a 3-D CT reconstruction with a GPS-like system using CARTOMERGE™, ( Biosense Webster, Inc)., or ESI NavX (St Jude medical).
Our EP physicians can literally visualize each individual’s specific anatomy from the inside, enabling accurate catheter navigation and precision ablation point delivery for treating a variety of cardiac arrhythmias.