Cardiac ablation is used to treat heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation (AFib). It is a catheterization procedure that uses heat or cold to create small scars in the heart tissue. This interrupts the irregular electronic signals causing the abnormal rhythm. It is usually performed on patients who don’t respond to medication or other first-line treatment.
Benefits Of Cardiac Ablation
The main benefit of cardiac ablation is restoration of a regular heart rhythm. This can significantly improve patient quality of life, as well as reduce the risk of heart failure and stroke. As a minimally invasive procedure, most patients can go home the same day. Recovery is usually fairly quick. If the ablation is successful, patients may no longer need long-term medication to control their symptoms.
Cardiac Ablation Risks
Cardiac ablation is generally safe. However, it is not without risk for complications. The most common risks include:
- Bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site
- Damage to blood vessels or heart valves
- New or worsening irregular heart rhythm or a slow heart rate
In rare cases, cardiac ablation can lead to blood clots in the lungs or legs, pulmonary vein stenosis (narrowing of the veins between the lungs and heart), stroke, or heart attack. The contrast dye used in the procedure can also cause damage to the kidneys, but it is not common. Kidney damage is more likely to occur in patients with diabetes, pre-existing kidney disease or heart failure. Damage to the esophagus or phrenic nerve (which controls the diaphragm) is also possible.
Post-Procedure Recovery
Patients typically go home from the hospital after a few hours in recovery or an overnight stay. They may experience discomfort at the catheter insertion site and fatigue for a few days following the procedure. The majority are able to return to their normal activities within one week.
It is important to follow your doctor’s postoperative care instructions and monitor the insertion site for any infection or bleeding. You should avoid strenuous activity for several days after the procedure.
It can take weeks for the scars on the heart to completely heal. During this time, patients may continue to experience some irregular heartbeats. The full outcome of the ablation may not be known until the heart is fully healed. It is important to take any medication as prescribed and attend all postoperative appointments.
Recovery is different for everyone. Listen to your body. Prioritize rest and nutrition to aid the healing process. A gradual return to normal activities and exercise is recommended.
Cardiac Ablation Success Rates
Ablation can be highly effective, but the success rate varies depending on the type of AFib being treated. The success rate for patients with paroxysmal AFib (a heart rhythm that switches between irregular and normal heart patterns) is about 70% to 85%. It drops to 40% to 60% for patients with persistent AFib and lower for long-standing persistent cases.
If the initial cardiac ablation is unsuccessful in restoring a regular heart rhythm, the procedure can be repeated. It usually sees a significantly higher rate of success of up to 90%. Of course, each case is individual. It is not always a complete cure for all patients.
The team at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists consists of North Louisiana’s leading experts in cardiovascular care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (318) 798-9400.