Cardiac ablation has been found to be effective in a number of situations, especially when other treatments have not been successful.
It is often used in cardiac rehabilitation and in patients who are suffering from congestive heart failure. Although the therapy is often associated with radiotherapy and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, the procedure can be used in other situations as well.
Cardiac ablation therapy involves the use of high-pressure carbon dioxide or nitrogen gases under the influence of local anesthetics. This is done by injecting small quantities of carbon dioxide directly into the heart chamber. The carbon dioxide helps to break down or dissolve calcium deposits in the walls of the heart muscle cells. It also helps to dislodge and eliminate toxic buildups. The effect of this procedure depends on several factors, including the location of the problem and the severity of the condition.
In some cases, heart ablation will prevent abnormal electrical impulses from reaching the heart and, therefore, stops the arrhythmia from occurring. When the patient undergoes cardiac ablation for congestive heart failure, however, there may be no significant improvement. Other times, however, patients who undergo this procedure see significant improvements after the procedure.
Abnormal heart valve contraction and failure are the most common reasons patients undergo cardiac ablation therapy.
Heart valve diseases include severe heart blockages caused by cystic fibrosis, arteriosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. Some heart valves fail due to damage caused by age, trauma or infection; and in some patients, certain diseases can block the flow of blood through a specific valve.
In some cases, a heart valve that fails can actually rupture and become blocked and if left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage. By destroying or disabling the heart valve, cardiac ablation can correct the symptoms of these conditions and, eventually, improve their quality.
Heart valve disease is the primary cause of congestive heart failure, which is characterized by an enlarged heart, increased blood pressure, and decreased oxygen supply to the heart. When the valves become blocked or damaged, there is less than ideal blood flow through the heart muscles, causing the heart to work harder. With the increased heartwork comes the risk of heart attack, coronary artery clogging, heart attack, and congestive heart failure.
Because of this, many patients undergo cardiac ablation therapy to help them get rid of their congestive heart failure without having to undergo invasive procedures, such as surgery. In most cases, patients will undergo a series of treatments to help repair the problem. These treatments will often involve the use of medicines that help break down the calcium deposits in the heart muscle cells and the development of an artificial valve to replace the failed one.
Cardiac ablation treatment can be administered in many ways, including by general anesthetic or a sedation machine. If performed using general anesthesia, however, patients must be monitored constantly while the procedure is being performed.
This is to ensure that the patient is receiving an adequate amount of oxygen and that no side effects occur. Patients who are at greater risk for complications should be monitored more closely to avoid death.
General anesthesia for cardiac ablation can take several forms, including the use of a general anesthetic inhaler, intravenous sedation (IV sedation), or injection of the same medication into the heart valve. In a procedure called cardiopulmonary bypassing, the blood vessels through which the heart runs is cut off, thus allowing for the exchange of blood in the area that was formerly occupied by the heart muscle.
When patients undergo this type of procedure, they may experience some side effects such as loss of consciousness, sweating, and heart palpitations. However, these side effects are generally short-lived. In most cases, patients will also have an increased heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, and a slight feeling of numbness or tingling in the chest. Many patients are able to leave the hospital and return to normal activities after their initial stay, usually in a few days.
Before choosing to undergo cardiac ablation therapy, patients should make sure they fully understand all of the associated risks and benefits associated with it. Although cardiac ablation is not a permanent solution to heart valve problems, it can be used as a treatment option to improve symptoms and improve overall health.
There are numerous websites that can help patients and families to find out more about the procedure, its risks and benefits, as well as discussing questions that patients and their families may have. It is important to find a site that has a qualified staff member on staff that can answer questions and provide support throughout the process of cardiac ablation treatment.