DISCLAIMER: THIS PAGE CONTAINS A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE ABOVE TOPIC. IT IS NOT HEALTH ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH. YOU SHOULD NEVER RELY UPON THE INFORMATION GIVEN HERE. YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY WELL REQUIRE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT APPROACH. YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES IN YOUR MEDICATIONS, DIET, ACTIVITY, LIFESTYLE, ETC. WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING A LICENSED PHYSICIAN IN YOUR AREA.
The heart beat originates from electrical tissue near the top of the heart that fires spontaneously. Each electrical signal then conducts along specialized pathways made up of conduction tissue so that the heart muscle contracts properly to pump the blood.
Abnormal fast heart beats arise when some other part of the conduction system generates its own signal inappropriately or when there are extra paths of conduction tissue that cause the electrical signal to loop around and around. These can result in palpitations, fainting and death.
These abnormal heart rhythms can be controlled by medications but not cured.
It is now possible to localize and selectively destroy regions of the conduction system that cause these problems. This is called radiofrequency ablation.
The procedure is performed in a similar manner to an electrophysiologic study and may even be performed at the same time. The catheters localize exactly where the abnormal tissue is and the deliver radiofrequency energy just to that small area of the heart. The alternating current heats and destroys only the abnormal tissue without damaging the rest of the heart. The procedure is painless and patients are sent home the same day the procedure is performed. The procedure itself takes anywhere from 1 to 4 hours (an average of 3 hours) and is performed with sedation, not general anesthesia. Radiofrequency ablation cures the abnormal heart rhythm and obviates the need to take medication for it.
There are unusual circumstances where a critical part of the conduction system must be ablated to prevent fast heart beats. In these situations, a pacemaker must be implanted as well.
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