Cardio Ablation – Treatment for Arrhythmias

Also known as catheter ablation, cardio ablation is a medical procedure used to treat arrhythmias – irregular heartbeats in which the heart beating too fast (Tachycardia) or with an erratic pattern.  This minimally invasive procedure is offered in Cuba to restore normal heart rhythm, improving patients’ quality of life and reducing symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath. 

Types of Arrhythmias Treated with Cardio Ablation  

Cardio ablation is an effective treatment for various types of arrhythmias, particularly those involving abnormal or rapid heart rhythms. Including: 

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib):  

• This is the most common type of arrhythmia where the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly, disrupting normal blood flow.  
• Symptoms of AFib include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. 
• AFib can cause blood clots in the atria increasing the risk of serious complications, including stroke and heart failure,  

Atrial Flutter:  

• A similar condition to AFib, with atrial flutter i the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat rapidly but with more regularity, resulting in a faster-than-normal heart rate.  
• Symptoms can include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. 
• Atrial flutter in and of itself is not life-threatening, however, it can increase the risk of stroke and other complications if left untreated.  

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT):  

• In this type of arrhythmia, the heart suddenly beats much faster than normal and can start and stop abruptly and can last from a few minutes to several hours.  
• Symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and sometimes fainting. 
• In general SVT is not life-threatening, but it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.  

Ventricular Tachycardia:  

• VT is a serious type of arrhythmia that originates in the heart’s lower chambers and causes a rapid and regular heartbeat.  
• Symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.  
• This condition can be life-threatening, as the ventricles beat so quickly that they cannot effectively pump blood to the rest of the body, potentially leading to a sudden cardiac arrest. 

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome:  

• This type of arrhythmia is characterized by an extra electrical pathway between the heart’s atria and ventricles, which can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate.  
• Symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fainting, though some people may remain asymptomatic. 
• This condition is usually not life-threatening, however, it can increase the risk of more severe arrhythmias.  

 The Cardio Ablation Procedure 

Cardio ablation involves the insertion of a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into a blood vessel and guided to the heart to deliver energy, like heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryotherapy), to destroy small areas of heart tissue that are causing abnormal heart rhythms and to restore normal heart rhythm.   

Factors such as the type and severity of the arrhythmia, the patient’s overall health, and their response to previous treatments are taken into consideration prior to recommending the procedure. 

The cardio ablation procedure typically involves the following steps: 

• Preparation: Initially, patients undergo a thorough evaluation that will include: 
  • Detailed medical history review. 
  • Physical examination. 
  • Diagnostic tests including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and possibly an electrophysiology study to map the heart’s electrical activity.  
  • Blood tests. 
  • Imaging studies may also be performed to assess overall health and heart function.  
• Sedation: Patients are given sedatives or general anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure. 

• Catheter Insertion: A catheter (a thin tube) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart. Using advanced imaging technology, the doctor carefully guides the catheter to the precise location of the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart.  

• Ablation: Once the catheter is in place, it delivers energy, either in the form of radiofrequency or cryotherapy, to ablate or destroy the area causing the irregular heartbeat. This disrupts the faulty electrical signals that cause the arrhythmia, restoring normal heart rhythm. Throughout the procedure, the heart’s electrical activity is closely monitored to ensure the effectiveness of the ablation and to adjust the treatment as needed. 

• Monitoring: After the ablation, the heart’s rhythm is monitored to ensure the arrhythmia has been effectively treated.