Specialists in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
2 Specialists found
Information About the Field of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. The older we get, the more likely it is to occur. In atrial fibrillation, the excitation in the heart's atrium is too fast. For the patient, this is associated with uncomfortable palpitation since the rapid excitation of the atrium is also partially transmitted to the ventricle.
Atrial fibrillation disturbs the normal blood flow in the heart. This can lead to clot formation in some regions of the atrium, such as the atrial auricle (a bulge in the atria). If the clot detaches, it can block a vessel elsewhere. If this happens in the brain, a stroke is a possible result.
Atrial fibrillation can sometimes occur (paroxysmal) or continuously (persistent). There are several methods in cardiology to stop atrial fibrillation.
- Drug therapy
- Catheter ablation
- Atrial fibrillation ablation
When Does Ablation Become Necessary for Atrial Fibrillation?
If drug therapy for atrial fibrillation is unsuccessful or if one or more catheter ablations have been performed unsuccessfully, thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation is a promising alternative.
The faulty conduction of excitation in the heart usually has a specific origin. This is the confluence of the pulmonary veins with the left atrium. Therefore, the area around the pulmonary veins must be electrically isolated to stop this excitation.
Catheter ablation attempts to do this by selectively scarring the pulmonary vein area. Access is gained with a small tube that is advanced into the heart via a blood vessel. In many cases, however, atrial fibrillation recurs within a few months with this method. Thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation has a much better chance of success in this case.
The Procedure of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Thoracoscopic ablation with atrial fibrillation occlusion is performed under general anesthesia and takes about two hours. Once the entire surgical area is sterile, the cardiac surgeon begins the minimally invasive procedure by making three small incisions in the chest area. The surgeon can insert a camera and instruments into the chest through these incisions.
Once the heart surgeon has reached the area where the pulmonary vein enters the body, they can electrically obliterate it (ablation). If the cardiac surgeon considers it necessary, other areas of the heart can be obliterated. For example, Thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation takes place on the beating heart. The use of the heart-lung machine is therefore not necessary.
During the same procedure, the left atrial auricle can also be occluded. This significantly reduces the risk of a future cerebral embolism (stroke). Now the devices are removed, and the scars are sutured.
Risks and Success Rate of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
About 3-5 days after the procedure, the patient can leave the hospital. Thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation is associated with an over 80% chance of success. Nevertheless, this is a cardiac surgical procedure that, like any other surgery, and carries complications. These include bleeding (which may require opening the chest), injury to nerves, vessels, or lung tissue, etc.
If you have further questions regarding the options and alternatives of thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation with atrial auricle closure, please feel free to contact your cardiac surgery specialist with confidence.
Which Specialists and Clinics Specialize in Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation?
Every patient who suffers from atrial fibrillation wants the best medical care. Therefore, the patient wonders where to find the best clinic for atrial fibrillation ablation.
As this question cannot be answered objectively and a reliable doctor would never claim to be the best one, we can only rely on the doctor's experience. The more surgeries a doctor carries out, the more experienced they become in this specialty.
Thus, specialists in ablation for atrial fibrillation are cardiac surgeons who specialize in treating cardiac arrhythmias. Their experience and years of practice make them the right professionals for atrial fibrillation surgery.
Sources:
Herold, Gerd: Innere Medizin. Köln, Eigenverlag 2012.
Henne-Bruns, Doris; Barth, Harald (2012): Chirurgie. 4., aktualis. Aufl. Stuttgart [u.a]: Thieme (Thieme Electronic Book Library).
Arasteh, K. ; Baenkler, H.-W. ; Bieber, C. ; et al.: Innere Medizin. Stuttgart, Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2009