Catheter Ablation: What is it and how does it help an irregular heart beat?
Catheter Ablation: What is it and how does it help an irregular heart beat?
Catheter ablation is a treatment for arrhythmias. Electrophysiologist Kevin Thomas, M.D., of the Norton Heart \u0026 Vascular Institute explains what it is, what to expect and how catheter ablation can help treat an irregular heartbeat.
Learn more about catheter ablation: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services…
Learn more about Norton Heart \u0026 Vascular Institute: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services…
Dr. Thomas’ profile: https://providers.nortonhealthcare.co…
#ablation #arrhythmia #electrophysiology
Content
0.63 -> - I'm Dr. Kevin Thomas, a
cardiac electrophysiologist
3.84 -> with the Norton Heart
and Vascular Institute.
6.93 -> The heart's electrical
system produces signals
9.406 -> that control the timing
of your heartbeats.
12.326 -> Sometimes this system can beat irregularly
16.32 -> and cause symptoms of
palpitations, rapid heartbeats
19.86 -> or skipped heartbeats.
21.96 -> This can be due to short circuits
in the electrical system,
25.364 -> extra heartbeats or abnormal
electrical connections.
30.27 -> These abnormal rhythms
are called arrhythmias.
34.08 -> Oftentimes, these are not dangerous,
36.9 -> but they can become
serious when they affect
39.3 -> the heart's ability to pump blood
41.85 -> or if they're due to another
underlying heart condition.
44.94 -> Treatment of arrhythmias
may include medications
48.21 -> or a procedure called catheter ablation.
51.42 -> A catheter ablation is a
minimally invasive procedure
54.18 -> to correct an arrhythmia.
56.82 -> Catheter ablation can
be performed to diagnose
59.16 -> and treat a wide variety of arrhythmias
61.83 -> including supra ventricular tachycardia,
64.92 -> also known as SBT, atrial fibrillation,
69.27 -> atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia
73.35 -> and premature ventricular
contractions, also known as PVCs.
77.94 -> The catheter ablation
procedure is performed
80.07 -> in the electrophysiology
laboratory of the hospital
82.98 -> where you'll be placed on an x-ray table.
85.68 -> You may be given medications intravenously
87.66 -> to sedate you or make you sleepy.
90.36 -> These medications help reduce your anxiety
92.446 -> and relieve your discomfort.
95.07 -> Your groins will be
cleaned with antiseptic
97.47 -> and sterile drapes will be
placed to cover your body.
100.405 -> A local anesthetic will be administered
102.51 -> with a tiny needle to numb the area
104.64 -> where the catheters are inserted.
106.86 -> You will feel a pin prick
108.21 -> and possibly a stinging
sensation for a few seconds.
112.2 -> Small thin wire electrodes
will then be placed
115.74 -> through a vein in the groin.
117.72 -> These catheters will
be guided to your heart
119.55 -> using a special type of
x-ray called fluoroscopy.
123.3 -> Once in the heart, the electrodes measure
125.67 -> the heart's electrical signals
127.38 -> and are used to stimulate the heart
129 -> from various locations to try to induce
131.444 -> or start up the abnormal rhythm.
134.85 -> Medications are sometimes used to assist
137.04 -> in stimulating your arrhythmia.
139.92 -> Special software is then used
141.93 -> to make a 3D map of your heart
144.06 -> and it's electrical system
to help your physician
146.73 -> pinpoint the abnormal
tissue in your heart.
149.85 -> The catheters are then used
151.2 -> to burn or freeze these
small areas of heart tissue
154.23 -> that generate and conduct
155.43 -> the abnormal electrical activity.
158.49 -> Upon the completion of
the catheter ablation
161.01 -> the catheters are removed from your groin
163.14 -> and pressure is applied
to stop any bleeding.
166.32 -> Following your catheter ablation,
168.63 -> you will be moved to a recovery area
170.67 -> to rest quietly for several hours.
173.28 -> Your heartbeat and blood pressure
174.66 -> will be monitored continuously
to check for complications.
178.68 -> Often patients are able
to go home the same day,
182.04 -> but your physician may elect
183.3 -> to keep you overnight for monitoring.
186.33 -> Be sure to review pre and post documents
188.49 -> on what to do before
and after the procedure.
191.7 -> As always, if you have questions,
194.19 -> please reach out to your doctor's office.
197.1 -> Thank you for choosing Norton
Heart and Vascular Institute.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNHQ5ClaEdM