How will the ablation procedure help my atrial fibrillation?
The goal of the procedure is to isolate the areas of the heart that are known to start the rapid electrical signals in the upper heart chambers. Research has shown the electrical signals for atrial fibrillation (AF) usually start around the pulmonary veins in the left atrium. These four veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs back into the heart and drain into the left atrium. When electrical isolation of these veins is successful, episodes of AF often stop or decrease in number. Within a few months post procedure, some patients can stop the anti-arrhythmic medications that they were taking to control their AF. If the anti-arrhythmic drugs are continued, the ablation procedure often helps the medications better control AF episodes. Finally, the ablation procedure can help to decrease symptoms associated with episodes of AF such as palpitations, lightheadedness, fatigue or decreased exercise tolerance, or shortness of breath.
Related Questions
- How does the MicroMaze procedure differ from other atrial fibrillation treatments available today, such as radiofrequency ablation?
- How does the MicroMaze procedure differ from other atrial fibrillation treatments available today, such as radiofrequency ablation?
- I have serious heart problems and chronic heart disease along with Atrial Fibrillation. Would a Pulmonary Vein Ablation help me?
- I have serious heart problems and chronic heart disease along with Atrial Fibrillation. Would a Pulmonary Vein Ablation help me?
- What is an atrial fibrillation ablation or a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure?
- How will the ablation procedure help my atrial fibrillation?
