What Is Arrhythmia And What Does It Do?
Cardiac ablations are typically performed to address arrhythmias. A cardiac ablation scars or destroys tissue in the heart to eliminate abnormal heart rhythm. A cardiac ablation prevents abnormal electrical impulses from reaching the heart, therefore distributing the arrhythmia.
What Are The Different Types of Arrhythmias?
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Ventricular Tachycardia
What Is The Process For A Cardiac Ablation Procedure?
- Traditionally an electrophysiologist performing a cardiac ablation would use long, flexible tubes that are inserted through a vein or artery in the groin deliver RF (heat) or Cryo (cold) energy to isolate the abnormal electrical signals. The type of energy delivered is dependent on the kind of abnormal heart rhythm a patient is diagnosed with.
- When medication is not effective enough to keep the arrhythmia at bay, a cardiologist may suggest a cardiac ablation. A cardiac ablation is performed to restore the heart to a normal healthy rhythm.
Is There An Alternative For A Cardiac Ablation Procedure?
Yes, it is called Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System.
At Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute we are committed to providing our patients with the latest, most innovative technology. As an alternative to traditional ablations procedures, we have introduced the Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System to allow for safer, more effective cardiac ablation procedures.
The Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System allows for more precise, safer, and effective catheter positioning. An electrophysiologist operates two magnets to guide the catheters through the appropriate pathways carefully. With computer guidance and magnetic catheters, the electrophysiologist can safely and more efficiently perform the traditional ablation procedure. Using the robotic magnetic navigation to perform cardiac ablation reduces the amount of radiation patients are exposed to during their procedure.
The Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System can be used to address various heart rhythm concerns such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and tachycardia. With advanced robotic magnetic navigation, doctors are able to treat a wider range of heart rhythm problems.
What Are The Benefits of Robotic Ablation with Stereotaxis
Using magnetic navigation allows doctors to target precisely the heart tissue causing your abnormal heartbeat. Other advantages are:
- Minimally invasive, with minimal scarring
- A shorter procedure, with faster recovery times
- Less exposure to X-ray radiation
- Less risk of damage to arteries or heart muscle