What is Radio Frequency Ablation for Arrhythmia (RFA)?

A procedure called radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses electrical energy to kill heart tissues that are interfering with the heart's rhythm.

It is frequently done if your heart is beating too quickly or irregularly due to aberrant electrical impulses passing through it. Anesthesia can be applied locally or generally for the surgery. The kind of anesthetic that is most appropriate for you will be recommended by your doctor. A tiny groin incision is created. Using X-ray screening, a unique radiofrequency ablation catheter is placed into the vein and guided all the way up to the heart.

With catheters inserted, it is possible to detect the tissues causing the rhythm disturbance and record the electrical activity of the heart from inside the organ.

A radiofrequency ablation catheter is used to ablate, or burn, the precise location of the irregular heartbeat. This indicates that a scar develops there, preventing the irregular heartbeat from happening.

Who is a candidate for catheter ablation?

When treating individuals with arrhythmias such as AFib, catheter ablation is not usually the primary treatment. However, if you have used at least one medication to control your arrhythmia without success, your cardiologist may suggest catheter ablation.

How should I get ready for a radiofrequency ablation procedure?

A normal cardiac rhythm is not usually restored by catheter ablation alone. It could also require additional treatments. Additionally, some patients may require repeat procedures after undergoing the treatment. When the initial process is unable to completely solve the issue, this can occur. Your doctor locates the region where irregular heartbeats are beginning during the operation using an ablation catheter, which is a long, thin, flexible tube. The physician then locates and destroys this tiny spot using the catheter tip and one of the various energy forms. The surgery could take three hours or ninety minutes.

You will need to lie still for four to six hours following the treatment. Following the procedure, you must spend one night in the hospital.

Most people recover quickly. In a few days, most people resume their regular activities. Consult your physician about warning signs and symptoms. Inform your physician if you experience severe bleeding at the site of catheter insertion, as well as any pain, edema, redness, or other infection-related symptoms.

Minor risks are associated with catheter ablation. A few possible adverse effects include bleeding, infection, and pain at the catheter site. Blood clots and punctures to the heart are more serious problems.

What is the duration of a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure?

Depending on the kind of arrhythmia, a radiofrequency ablation takes two to four hours.

What to Expect Before, during & after the procedure?

Before the Procedure-

An intravenous (IV) line is placed in a vein in your arm to deliver medication to you before the treatment. The medication will ease your tension. You might become tired from it. Throughout the process, multiple equipment that monitors your heart's activity are also attached to you.

Your doctor numbs your neck, groin (upper thigh), or arm once you're sleepy. A tiny puncture in the skin is made into a blood artery using a needle. This hole is filled by your doctor with a sheath, which is a tapered tube.

Next, your doctor inserts an ablation catheter—a long, thin, flexible tube—through the sheath and into your blood vessel along with a thin, flexible wire. Your blood vessel is used to insert the guide wire into your heart. The wire aids in your doctor's accurate placement of the catheter.

During the Procedure-

The heart is stimulated and its electrical activity is recorded using electrodes at the catheter's end. This assists your doctor in determining the origin of irregular heartbeats in your heart.

The catheter tip is aimed by your doctor at the tiny patch of cardiac tissue where the irregular heartbeats are beginning. To form a scar line, also known as an ablation line, a specialized equipment transfers electricity through the catheter. Cryo- (very low temperatures), laser, and radiofrequency (heat produced by electrodes) are the energy kinds used.

A partition known as the scar line separates the surrounding healthy heart tissue from the injured heart tissue. Thus, arrhythmias are prevented from spreading throughout the heart due to irregular electrical signals.

After the Procedure-

After the treatment, you are taken to a special care facility where you recover by lying still for four to six hours. At the location where the catheter was implanted, lying still stops bleeding.

You are connected to specialized equipment in the special care unit that monitors your blood pressure and cardiac electrical activity. The nurses are always monitoring these monitors. Additionally, nurses make sure the catheter insertion site is free of bleeding.

Does Catheter Ablation Hurt?

Generally, no, catheter ablation doesn't hurt.

During the procedure, you'll be sedated or under general anesthesia, so you won't feel any pain and after the procedure, you might experience some mild discomfort or pressure in your chest, but this is usually temporary. The area where the catheter was inserted (often the groin) might be sore or bruised.

What is the duration of recovery following catheter ablation?

The entire healing process may take several weeks. Arrhythmias could persist while the tissue in your heart recovers.

What is the best time to call the doctor?

If you find any of the following, you should contact your doctor:

• Bleeding from the puncture site where the catheter and sheath were placed by your doctor.
• Chest ache.
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy.
• Vomiting or nausea.
• If the puncture site is in your groin, you may have numbness or tingling in your leg.
• Heart rate on the rise.
• Soreness or swelling where the puncture was made.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Radio Frequency Ablation for Arrhythmia (RFA)?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is a trusted choice for Radio Frequency Ablation for Arrhythmia (RFA) in Lucknow, India. Due to its expert heart specialists, advanced technology, and dedicated care team. Our hospital ensures safe and successful procedures with a patient-first approach. Many families choose it for its excellent outcomes and compassionate care.

To seek an expert consultation for Radio Frequency Ablation for Arrhythmia (RFA) in Lucknow, India

 

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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