What is Cardiac Ablation?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Cardiac Ablation?
A procedure done to correct arrhythmia or heart rhythm problems is known as cardiac ablation.
This procedure can eliminate or scar the tissue in the heart causing arrhythmia. The procedure helps to stop the unusual electrical signals that move through the heart and cause an uneven heartbeat.
Cardiac ablation is usually done by using flexible, thin tubes known as catheters which are inserted through the arteries or veins. Sometimes, the procedure may be performed during cardiac surgery.
- What are the types of Cardiac Ablation?
- What is the purpose of Cardiac Ablation?
- What is the diagnostic procedure for Cardiac Ablation?
- How to prepare for Cardiac Ablation?
- What is the procedure of Cardiac Ablation?
- How to care after Cardiac Ablation?
- What are the risks of Cardiac Ablation?
- What is the cost of Cardiac Ablation in India?
What are the types of Cardiac Ablation?
The different types of cardiac ablation include:
Catheter ablation:
- The surgeon inserts long, thin tubes called catheters into the blood vessels for destroying the disruptive cells in the heart.
- Different techniques are used to eliminate the cells that lead to arrhythmias, which may include:
Radiofrequency ablation: This procedure involves the use of radiofrequency energy, which is similar to microwave heat, is used to make circular scars around each vein or a group of veins.
Cryoablation: This procedure involves using a single catheter having a balloon-tipped with a material that is used for freezing the tissues. This causes a scar formation. ( Know more about- What is Mitral Valve Surgery? )
- Surgical ablation:
- Surgical ablation is a kind of open-heart surgery.
- It is usually performed while a patient is having surgery for other heart problems, like a valve replacement surgery or heart bypass.
- The different types of surgical ablation procedures include:
Maze procedure: Small cuts are made by the surgeon in the upper part of the heart and then stitched together to form the scar tissue that stops the unusual signs of arrhythmia.
Mini maze: This is the less invasive form of surgery in which the surgeon makes many small cuts between the ribs, and then uses a camera to perform catheter ablation.
Convergent procedure or hybrid surgical-catheter ablation:
- This procedure uses catheter ablation along with a mini maze.
- Radiofrequency ablation is used in the pulmonary vein (a vein that transfers oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart), and the surgeon makes a small cut under the breastbone for using radiofrequency energy on the outside of the heart. ( Know more about- What is Pacemaker Surgery? )
What is the purpose of Cardiac Ablation?
Cardiac ablation is performed to treat the following conditions:
Supraventricular tachycardia:
- This is the most common cause for undergoing cardiac ablation.
- The heart suddenly starts beating much more quickly than its normal resting rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.
- The electrical signals are obtained from the upper chambers of the heart.
Atrial fibrillation:
- This is a condition that leads to irregular heartbeats in the upper chambers of the heart.
- It increases the risk of developing heart failure (the heart pumps blood insufficiently to the test of the body) and stroke (the blood flow to the brain is stopped) and may cause an enlarged heart.
- Individuals having atrial fibrillation that does not respond to medication may need cardiac ablation surgery.
Atrial flutter:
- When the upper heart chambers beat rapidly due to faulty electrical signals in the heart, the condition is known as atrial flutter.
- It usually occurs due to other heart disorders like high blood pressure and coronary heart disease (damage to the major blood vessels of the heart).
Other complications related to the heart:
- In some cases, arrhythmias can cause life-threatening conditions, like a heart attack.
- Such people are good candidates for cardiac ablation surgery.
What is the diagnostic procedure for Cardiac Ablation?
- Physical examination: The doctor will examine you physically and check your heartbeat using a stethoscope. You will also be asked about your medical history and family history.
- Blood tests: Blood tests help in checking the levels of the various parameters of blood, and also if there is an underlying medical condition like thyroid problems or diabetes.
- Chest x-ray: An image of the chest is obtained using a chest x-ray, which helps the doctor in seeing the heart, lungs, bones, and blood vessels.
- Cardiac MRI or cardiac CT angiography: These tests help the doctor in obtaining clear images of the blood vessels in and around the heart. ( Know more about- What is Coronary Angiography? )
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves for creating images of the heart and its chambers, muscles, walls, and valves.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram: This is a special type of echocardiogram that is done by the placement of an ultrasound probe down the throat. The test helps the doctor to make sure that there are no blood clots present before the procedure is performed.
- Electrocardiogram: This test helps in measuring the electrical activity of the heart and diagnosing any heart problems that may be present.
How to prepare for Cardiac Ablation?
- Your doctor should be told about any medical conditions that you may be having.
- Your doctor should be informed about any medications, supplements, or herbs that you are currently taking.
- You may be asked to stop taking blood-thinners like warfarin and aspirin a couple of days before the procedure, as these medicines may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Quit smoking at least two weeks before the procedure.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight, the day prior to the procedure.
- Avoid wearing scented products, like lotions, on the day of the surgery. ( Know more about- What is Cholesterol tests? )
What is the procedure of Cardiac Ablation?
Cardiac ablation procedure varies depending on the type of ablation performed, and is performed in the following ways:
Catheter ablation:
- The procedure is done by giving medications intravenously (injected into the vein) to the patient so that the patient feels drowsy during the procedure.
- The surgeon inserts a catheter, mostly through a cleansed and shaved groin area, and then guided to the heart.
- Once there, the pulses of energy (either heat or cold) destroy the abnormal cells in an area of approximately one-fifth of an inch.
- The procedure takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete.
Surgical ablation:
- This procedure is performed under general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure).
- The surgeon cuts the inside of the heart and creates scar tissue to restore the balance to the electrical system of the heart.
- In some cases, it may be necessary to spread the ribs of the patient, and put the patient on a heart-lung bypass machine (a machine that takes over the function of the lungs and heart during the surgery).
- But all surgeries do not require a bypass machine. ( Know more about- What is Heart Bypass Surgery? )
Hybrid surgical-catheter ablation:
- This kind of approach will require two procedures.
- The two procedures can be spaced out or can take place during a single hospital stay.
- The surgeon makes small incisions or cuts on the side of the chest, and the doctor will then perform catheter ablation.
How to care about Cardiac Ablation?
The recovery of the patient depends on the kind of procedure that an individual will undergo.
Catheter ablation:
- The patient can go home on the same day of the procedure.
- The legs need to be kept straight for six to eight hours after the procedure, before getting out of bed.
- Most of your daily activities can be resumed the next day after the procedure.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or driving for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid any strenuous activities for 3 days after the procedure. ( Know more about- Diet Guide for Heart Patients )
Surgical ablation:
- Most people need five to seven days of hospitalization after the surgery.
- Complete recovery may take about 4 weeks.
- Avoid heavy lifting and get plenty of rest during the recovery period.
- Follow all the post-surgery instructions given by your doctor.
- It may take as long as three months for the results of the procedure to become apparent.
Hybrid surgical-catheter ablation:
- The patient stays in the hospital for two to five days after the procedure.
- Complete recovery may take approximately two weeks.
What are the risks of Cardiac Ablation?
The risks vary depending on the type of procedure performed, and may include:
Catheter ablation: This is the least invasive type of procedure, and carries lesser risks as compared to the other ablation procedures. The risks may include:
- Damage to the blood vessels, heart, and nearby parts of the body
- Destabilization of the electrical system of the heart
Surgical ablation: This is a type of open-heart surgery and may have the following risks:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Allergic reactions to anesthesia used
- Stroke (the blood supply to the brain is interrupted) (Know more about- Difference between Brain Stroke and Heart attack )
- Heart attack
- Blood clot formation ( Know more about- What is Hypertension? )
- Death
Hybrid surgical-catheter ablation: When surgery is performed alongside the insertion of the catheter, it does not need a cardiopulmonary bypass. Therefore, this procedure is less risky as compared to surgery when performed alone. However, the risks that can occur due to catheter ablation are still present. ( Know more about- What are the treatments of Cardiac Arrest? )
What is the cost of Cardiac Ablation in India?
The total cost of cardiac ablation in India can range from around INR 2,00,000 to INR 2,50,000, depending on the type of procedure done. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in cardiac ablation. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of cardiac ablation, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. After the procedure, the patient is kept for two to seven days in the hospital and seven days in the hotel for recovery. So, the total cost of cardiac ablation in India comes to a total of INR 2,20,000 to INR 2,70,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Cardiac Ablation through this article.
If you want to get more information about Cardiac Ablation, you can contact a Cardiologist.
We only aim to give you information through this article and do not recommend any medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you good advice and the correct treatment plan.
