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This procedure is used in patients who have paroxysmal lone AF or atrial fibrillation with minimal heart disease. The goal of this procedure is to find the area in the atria that is causing the AF to occur and spread throughout the atria. The physician looks at various areas within the top chambers of the heart to find the source of the abnormal electrical impulses. Often these impulses come from an area in and around the pulmonary veins (4 large veins that bring blood back to the heart from the lungs).
Once the catheters are in place, the doctor will start to record the electrical signals from the heart and “map” these veins as well as other areas in the atrium. Once the source is located, the radiofrequency energy (electrical current) will be passed through the catheter and heat the tissue at the tip of the catheter. This will inactivate or scar the tissue. Your doctor may refer to these as “burns”. The doctor may create a ring or circle around one or more of the large veins that enter the left atrium. This creates a barrier to stop the AF.
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This procedure is used to try to prevent AF in patients who have more persistent forms of AF and structural heart disease. The atrial tissue itself often allows the AF to spread or propagate. The goal of this procedure is to change or modify the atrial tissue (substrate) so that can no longer happen. Ablation is usually aimed at an area around the pulmonary veins and connecting structures.
The radiofrequency energy (electrical current) will be passed through the catheter and heat the tissue at the tip of the catheter. This creates a barrier so that the AF can no longer spread.
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