Ablation description and uses
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An ablation procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. It is used to destroy layers of abnormal tissues in various parts of the body using lasers or cold. Ablation can be done for cosmetic reasons (on the skin for brightening, wart removal and tattoo removal) or treating serious disorders (heart ablation to treat abnormal rhythm or uterine ablation for fibroids).
Cardiac catheter ablation is a procedure that destroys a small area of the heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular heartbeats.
- The doctor may give local or general anesthesia to the patient to numb the pain.
- The doctor inserts thin, flexible wires called catheters into the patient’s vein through a small incision, typically in the groin or neck, and threads them up into their heart.
- There is an electrode at the tip of the wires. The electrode sends out radio waves that create heat. This heat destroys the heart tissue that causes abnormal heart rhythms. Electrodes on the end of the catheter create tiny scars on the wall of the heart.
- In some instances, the doctor may use freezing cold to destroy the heart tissue.
- Sometimes, abnormal impulses come from inside a pulmonary vein and cause abnormal heart rhythms. (The pulmonary veins bring the blood back from the lungs to the heart.) Catheter ablation in a pulmonary vein can block these impulses and keep abnormal heart rhymes from occurring.
- Catheter ablations typically take three to six hours. After ablation, the patient will wait several hours in the recovery area.
- Most patients who have ablation procedures go home the same day, whereas some patients need to stay overnight in the hospital.
- For two to three days after the procedure, the patient may have these symptoms
Depending on the results of the ablation procedure, the patient may still need to take medication to help control arrhythmias. Some patients may require repeat cardiac ablation treatment at some point.
Common conditions or the types of abnormal heart rhythms that are treated by cardiac ablation procedure include
- Atrial fibrillation (AF): This is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm). It occurs when electrical signals from the heart’s two upper chambers “fibrillate” or quiver.
- Atrial flutter (AFL): This is a condition related to AF. AFL occurs when the atria (upper chambers) of the heart flutter at a regular and rapid rate, usually around 250 to 300 beats per minute (bpm).
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT): This is a rapid type of heartbeat that starts in the ventricles (lower part of the heart).
There are other types of cardiac ablations
Apart from catheter ablation, other types of ablations include
- Hybrid surgical-catheter ablation: This ablation procedure combines catheterization with thoracoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive surgery involving a few small incisions in the abdomen. Surgeons begin the hybrid procedure using a thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera at the end) and long, thin instruments. They access the area outside of the heart to perform the ablation. Electrophysiologists then perform catheter ablation through it.
- Surgical ablation: This procedure uses minimally invasive laparoscopy and open-heart surgical procedures. Surgeons use either energy (hot or cold) or make cuts to create scar tissue on the heart. The scar tissue disrupts arrhythmias and creates new electrical pathways to restore a normal heartbeat pattern. Because surgical ablation is more invasive, patients usually have it only if they are already undergoing surgery for another heart condition.
- Uterine ablation: This procedure is used to destroy the non-cancerous growths in the uterus called fibroids.
Percutaneous tumor ablation: This refers to a range of techniques that destroy the tumor tissue through needles placed through the skin. The goal of tumor ablation is to destroy the tumor without performing surgery. Whether the patient is suitable for this procedure depends on the size and location of the tumor and the patient’s clinical situation.
- Some techniques use chemical agents such as absolute ethanol.
- Others use physical agents that may be thermal (using heat) or non-thermal.
- Thermal ablation techniques destroy tumors by using different types of applicators to freeze the tumor (called cryoablation) or to heat the tumor such as radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, microwave ablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
- Non-thermal ablation techniques use other sources of energy to achieve tumor destruction.
- The procedure will be performed using image guidance such as an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to control the insertion of the devices and energy deposition.
- The radiologist will anesthetize the patient for the procedure. For most ablation procedures, the interventional radiologist will insert one or more needles or applicators into the tumor to deliver the chemical agent or physical energy.
- The risk may involve bleeding or puncture of the surrounding organs. Another risk is the accidental leakage of the chemical agent or uncontrolled depositing of radiation energy, which may cause serious damage to the surrounding tissues.
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure performed to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the tissues of the uterus. There are several procedures used with endometrial ablation including laser beam, electricity ,freezing, heating, or microwave energy Complications may arise during or after the procedure.How Long Does Endometrial Ablation Last?
Endometrial ablation is a minor surgical procedure performed to destroy the inner lining (endometrium) of the uterus. This treatment is done without making any visible cuts on the body. Depending upon the technique used, the actual procedure takes around anywhere between 2 and 10 minutes.How Serious Is a Heart Ablation Surgery?
Heart ablation or cardiac ablation is a procedure done to rectify problems with heart rhythm (arrhythmias). It is a low-risk procedure that involves scarring or destroying the tissue in the heart, which triggers an abnormal heart rhythm.Is It Normal to Have Irregular Heartbeat After Ablation?
Cardiac (heart) ablation is a procedure performed to correct heart arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm/beat). Cardiac ablation works by intentionally injuring or destroying (ablating) and scarring the tissue in the heart that triggers the abnormal heart rhythm.Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of the Liver
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the liver is a technique used to treat liver cancer. RFA uses imagine procedures like CT scan, ultrasound, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to guide the RFA probe into the area of the tumor. There are different ways to perform radiofrequency ablation. Side effects of radiofrequency ablation of the liver are pain after the procedure, injury to the bowel, and inflammation of the gallbladder. The procedure lasts approximately 10-30 minutes.What Is a Catheter Ablation Procedure?
Catheter ablation or cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat abnormal heart rhythms. During this procedure, the doctor may destroy tiny areas in the heart that are firing off abnormal electrical impulses and causing abnormal heart rhythms.What Is Endometrial Ablation Used For?
Endometrial ablation involves surgical removal (ablation) of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to stop or diminish heavy bleeding, bleeding between menstruation, or periods that last for a long time. It does not stop heavy bleeding completely but reduces it to normal or lighter levels.What Is Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors?
Liver ablation surgery is a procedure that destroys liver tumors without surgically removing them. Although ablation techniques are less likely to cure cancer than surgery, they can be helpful for people who are unfit for major surgery. Liver ablation treatments may also sometimes be used in patients waiting for a liver transplant.