Rhythmologie

Ablation for atrial fibrillation

Ablation for atrial fibrillation

Wenn Sie unter Vorhofflimmern leiden, ist eine Ablation möglicherweise die für Sie geeignete Therapie. Sie wird immer häufiger auch direkt als Alternative zu einer medikamentösen Behandlung angewandt.

Arrhythmia and Atrial Fibrillation

A healthy heart has a regular (rhythmic) pulse and beats between sixty and eighty times per minute. This heart rate is controlled by the heart's conduction system, resulting in a rhythmic contraction of the atria and ventricles of the heart. The frequency of the pulse can adapt to the stress to which the human body is exposed. During arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation, the heart sometimes - or continuously - fails to beat rhythmically, but is instead arrhythmic. In addition, its rate is too low (bradycardia) or too high (tachycardia), and is unable to adapt suitably to stress. This is caused by a disorder of the conduction system of the heart, leading to a partially erratic contraction of the walls of the atrium (heart rate 300-600 beats per minute). The result is a noticeable decline in physical strength, and if left untreated it can even lead to a stroke.

There are many possible causes of atrial fibrillation. These range from a disease of the coronary arteries to heart valve disorders, high blood pressure and diseases of the myocardium. Atrial fibrillation can also develop spontaneously, for no obvious reason.

Die Ablation bei Vorhofflimmern

... is a catheter-based procedure used to treat cardiac arrhythmia, and a possible alternative to long-term medication. This intervention is less traumatic for the patient than heart surgery.

ABLATION FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

[Translate to Englisch:] Grafik Ablation bei Vorhofflimmern im Herzzentrum Leipzig

If you are a patient at the Heart Center Leipzig, ablation may be the treatment used if you are suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, and from atrial fibrillation in particular. Drug therapy must have failed to provide a satisfactory solution, or else a general decision must have been made not to treat you with medication over the long term.

[Translate to Englisch:] Monitor bei rhythmologischem Eingriff
  • If a decision has been made to treat your atrial fibrillation with ablation, an electrophysiological (EP) examination will first be conducted to localize the focus of the arrhythmia.
  • In order to prevent cardiac arrhythmia from recurring, the metal tip of the catheter is heated to create linear lesions. These block the electrical pulses which are responsible for the atrial fibrillation.
  • This procedure is normally carried out in the pulmonary veins because it is the electrical pulses produced there which are responsible for the atrial fibrillation.
  • To access the pulmonary veins, the atrial septum is punctured painlessly. Then special catheters are placed in position at the start of the pulmonary vein so that it can be isolated point by point.
  • Our specialists use a contrast agent and 3D mapping for additional support. The latter serves to provide a very good pictorial representation of the transition between the pulmonary veins and the left atrium, and reveals the apertures and their condition.

After treatment, the catheter and port are removed and adhesive dressings applied; about twelve hours of bedrest will be required. Bedrest is also advised for the following ten days. Afterwards, you will be prescribed blood thinners for at least three months, to prevent clots from forming around the scars inside the heart. You will then feel stronger, and return to full health.

IS ABLATION FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DANGEROUS?

Our rhythmologists at the Heart Center Leipzig perform ablation for atrial fibrillation regularly and very much as a matter of routine. From your treatment in the EP laboratory before the procedure until the removal of the catheter afterwards, you will find yourself in the best possible hands throughout; those of our experienced specialists. As well as the normal risks one encounters with any surgery, specific risks do exist, although these are likely to affect fewer than 1% of our patients.

Ablation
Ablation

Ablation can put a stop to dangerous cardiac arrhythmia, especially in cases where drugs are not working (any longer). Our specialist rhythmologists can help.

You may also be interested in this…