Heart ablation which is also known as cardiac ablation is a surgery which is done to correct problems related to heart rhythms. This is done by destroying those tissues in the heart in a controlled manner which are responsible for abnormal rhythm.
Usually an open-heart surgery, cardiac ablation can also be done using catheters by heart hospitals in India to make the process less invasive and cuts down the recovery time. In the latter process, a catheter is inserted through the artery or vein in the groin and guided to the heart where using extreme heat or cold it modifies the tissues of the heart which cause abnormal rhythms.
Expectations
During the Surgery
Before the process is initiated, the surgeon inserts an IV line into your forearm or hand. You will also be given a sedative which helps you relax. In some cases, anaesthesia may also be administered. However, whether this will be done or not and the kind of anaesthesia that will be given will vary from one patient to the other.
Once the sedative has the desired effect, the doctor inserts a needle to a vein in the groin, forearm, or neck and insert a tube through the needle. Through the tube, catheters are guided to several places of the heart. The catheters have electrodes at the end of the tips which aids in sending electrical impulses and recording the electrical activity.
Next, using imagery from the heart doctors identify the tissues which are responsible for causing arrhythmias, i.e. abnormal heart rhythm. Once these tissues have been identified, the tips of the catheter are used for sending energy to destroy or scar those tissues.
The entire process takes place anywhere between three to six hours to complete but can also take longer if it is of a complicated nature.
After The Surgery
Following the procedure, the patient is moved to a recovery area to prevent bleeding from the area where the catheter was inserted. Various parameters of the body such as blood pressure and rate of heartbeat are continuously monitored to check for any post-operative complications.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure and the medical condition of the patient, she/he may be discharged the same day or maybe kept for a few days for observation. However, the patient should not drive after being discharged from the hospital until she/he has fully recovered. In fact, someone should arrange for the patient to be driven back home after discharge.
Most patients tend to feel a little week after a cardiac ablation but this lasts at the most for a fortnight. Further, patients who have undergone a cardiac ablation are able to return back to work after a week or two after getting approved by their surgeon.
Final Results
Due to various causes, some patients have to undergo another ablation procedure. Medicines are a must following this procedure. Finally, a few lifestyle changes can go a long way in improving the overall health of the heart, some of which include –
- Following a healthy diet
- Increasing physical activity
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Keeping body weight and anger in check
- Consuming less salt to lower blood pressure
