What is pulmonary vein antrum isolation?
Research has shown that almost all atrial fibrillation signals come from the four pulmonary veins. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI), also called pulmonary vein ablation, is a treatment for atrial fibrillation. During PVAI, a doctor inserts catheters into the blood vessels of the atrium. A special machine delivers energy through the catheters to the area of the atria that connects to the pulmonary vein (ostia). This energy (ablation) produces a circular scar that blocks any impulses firing from within the pulmonary vein, thereby “disconnecting” the pathway of the abnormal rhythm and preventing atrial fibrillation. In some cases, ablation also may be performed in other parts of the heart such as the superior vena cava.
