Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is actually a heart disease that occurs more frequently in the elderly. When atrial fibrillation occurs, patients will obviously feel discomfort around their heart. There are also many physical complications caused by atrial fibrillation, such as shortness of breath and chest tightness. There are many such methods in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The most fundamental treatment method is atrial fibrillation surgery, among which catheter ablation can also treat atrial fibrillation. The following will explain in detail the therapeutic effect of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is one of the methods for treating arrhythmias. The operation is performed under the monitoring of an X-ray angiography machine. After puncturing a blood vessel, an electrode catheter is inserted into the heart. The location of the abnormal structure causing the tachycardia is first checked and determined. Then a high-frequency current is released locally at that location, generating very high temperatures in a very small range. Through thermal efficiency, the water in the local tissue is evaporated, causing drying and necrosis, thereby achieving the treatment goal.

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Since the local damage caused by radio frequency current to the myocardium is very limited, about 3-4 mm in diameter and depth, it will not affect the surrounding normal myocardial tissue, so patients generally do not have obvious discomfort during the operation. Most operations are completed in about an hour, and the patient can usually be discharged from the hospital in two to three days.

Generally speaking, the following arrhythmias can be treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation:

1. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is characterized by sudden onset and sudden cessation of palpitations, each lasting from a few minutes to a few hours. The electrocardiogram during the attack can provide a clear diagnosis;

2. Most cases of preexcitation syndrome can be diagnosed by ordinary electrocardiogram. If accompanied by palpitations or atrial fibrillation, radiofrequency ablation should be performed;

3. Atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia are the main manifestations, and the electrocardiogram during the attack can clearly diagnose;

4. Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia without other organic heart disease, palpitations are often accompanied by dizziness, sometimes syncope;

5. Atrial fibrillation includes paroxysmal and persistent types, which cause repeated palpitations and are prone to produce blood clots, significantly increasing the incidence of stroke. Currently, the success rate of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is not as high as that for other types of tachycardia, but it is still an important treatment for atrial fibrillation;

6. Patients with obvious symptoms of frequent ventricular premature beats that are not well controlled by drugs.