Although very little electricity is given off by the catheter, the instrument does generate a large amount of heat.
Catheter ablation involves delivering highly focused heat (or radio frequency energy) to specific areas of the heart.
Catheter ablation is considered a non-surgical technique
Catheter ablation of an irregular heartbeat involves having a tube (a catheter) inserted into the heart.
This heat is absorbed by the heart tissue, causing a small localized burn and destroying the tissue in contact with the catheter tip; in this way, small regions of heart tissue are burned in a controlled manner.
The technique of catheter ablation (meaning tube-guided removal) is used to interrupt the abnormal contractions in the heart, allowing normal heart beating to resume.
Atrial fibrillation and flutter and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome are two of the most common disorders treated with catheter ablation.
One can find a description of the catheter ablation technique from a number of sources. One such source includes Wikipedia which describes catheter ablation as a procedure to terminate or remove a faulty electrical pathway in a section of a heart. It is intended for those who tend to be prone to developing cardiac arrhythmias.
At the same time as the catheter is inserted, a second electrode is placed on the patient's skin.
The procedure can last up to and over 4 hours. The skin will be cleaned, a small cut will be made and a catheter will be inserted. A problem area will be located and the catheter used to send electrical energy to the area, destroying the problem.
Just had catheter ablation for WPW .how long should I be out of action, feel well enough now, 2 days after ablation .BUT was told my ECG was showing abnormal reading .I am waiting to speak to the cardiologist.is it normal to have this sort of reading after the ablation .Regards ,Tina
When the catheter is energized, the body conducts the energy from the catheter's tip, through the heart and to the electrode on the skin's surface, completing the circuit.
Once the type of irregular heartbeat is identified and these medicines are given, the catheter is inserted through a blood vessel and into the heart.