Heart – Catheter Ablation  

Catheter ablation or also called EP (Electrophysiology) Procedure is a procedure to restore the heart’s incorrect electrical signals which cause an abnormal heart rhythm.

How is the procedure performed?

A catheter ablation procedure is performed by a heart rhythm specialist called an Electrophysiologist (EP). During the procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is placed through a small incision in a patient’s leg where it is then weaved up through a leg artery to the heart. 

Aided by 3-D imaging technology, an EP uses a catheter to produce a small scar on a specific part of the heart tissue. The procedure is done by either radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation.

Radiofrequency Ablation

There are 2 phases during radiofrequency ablation:

Phase 1: Mapping

An EP creates a ‘map’ of the heart using catheters to identify the location of the abnormal electrical signal that is causing the arrhythmia.

The mapping catheter has a tiny electromagnetic sensor in its tip that communicates with a 3D electroanatomical mapping and ablation system to create a picture of the heart. 

The resulting map gives the EP detailed information about how the heart looks and where the electrical circuit is broken.

Phase 2: Ablation

Once the EP has created a 3D map of the heart, the catheter is maneuvered to the areas identified by the map. The EP then uses radiofrequency waves to neutralize these small parts of the heart tissue that generate and conduct abnormal electrical activity. 

Ablation therapy blocks the faulty electrical impulses that cause irregular heart rhythms.

Catheter ablation is a low-risk procedure. As with any procedure, there are risks which include bleeding, swelling, or bruising at the catheter insertion site.

Discover various types of Arrhythmias

Supraventricular arrhythmias: 

• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
• Atrial Flutter
• Atrial Tachycardia
• Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
• Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT)
• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Ventricular arrhythmias: 

• Ventricular Fibrillation
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Premature ventricular beats (PVCs)
• Torsades de pointes

Inherited arrhythmias

• Brugada syndrome
• Catecholaminergic ploymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
• Long QT syndrome

Have you heard of Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is part of a heart disease, in which the heart has an irregular heartbeat. This can lead to chronic heart-related complications such as blood clots, strokes, and heart failure.

Did you know? 

Every 1 in 5 patients’ AFib disease becomes chronic.

	AFib is a progressive disease that could get worse and become harder to treat.
	Symptoms include:  Chest pain Dizziness Fainting  Fatigue Heart palpitations Shortness of breath
	5x risk of stroke & heart failure

Note: Please consult your Healthcare Professional for further advice and assessment.

It’s Never Too Late, Finance A Healthier Heart Now!