Cryoablation
What is it?
Cryoablation treats and cures cardiac arrhythmias by electrically isolating lesions using cold energy, believed to be safer and more effective than existing procedures or therapies. Arrhythmias (or dysrhythmias) are problems that affect the electrical system of the heart muscle, producing abnormal heart rhythms. They can cause the heart to pump less effectively.
How is it performed?
The procedure involves threading a small catheter into the heart and freezing
the tissue that is causing the heart to beat irregularly. Unlike current methods
for treating arryhthmias, cryoablation allows cardiologists the advantage of testing
the site for accuracy before carrying out the actual procedure. By threading a
catheter through veins from the groin into the heart, cardiologists can map the
heart?s electrical impulses and chill tissue suspected of creating a disturbance.
First, physicians test potential ablation sites after temporarily chilling tissue
in the target area to -30 degrees Celsius, a reversible inert state. Cells
that prove to be non-targets are returned to normal temperature and function before
physicians reposition the catheter. Once the target site is pinpointed, the catheter
tip is cooled to -75 degrees Celsius to freeze the affected tissue.
Hospitalization:
Cryoablation procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis. Patients undergoing cryoablation report less pain from the procedure because the tissues do not swell.
- Adult Congenital Heart Clinic
- Hospital Care
- Medications
- Lifestyle Changes
- Cardioversion
- Ablation
- Angioplasty
- Directional Coronary Athrectomy
- Laser
- Ratoblator®
- Stents
- Valvuloplasty
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiac Valve Replacement/Repair
- Transmyocardial Revascularization
- Heart Transplant
- Cryoablation
- Optimzer II
- EECP
- Congenital Defects
