Understanding ablation and A-fib 

HAVE YOU EVER FELT like your heart was flip-flopping in your chest, beating too fast or hard, or skipping beats altogether? These symptoms, along with dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea could be symptoms of arrhythmia. 

Arrhythmia is a problem with the heart’s rate or rhythm. During an arrhythmia, the electrical impulses may be too fast, too slow or erratic, causing an irregular heartbeat. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. In A-fib, the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, beat irregularly. Because not enough blood is being pumped out of those chambers, the blood can pool and lead to clots, which in turn could cause a stroke. Untreated, A-fib can lead to more serious cardiac issues such as heart failure. A-fib affects more than 46 million people worldwide. 

Arrhythmias such as A-fib are commonly treated with medication, or a nonsurgical procedure called an electrical cardioversion, which resets the heart’s rhythm. But for patients who can’t take medication or aren’t a suitable candidate for cardioversion, there is another option. 

Catheter ablation is a procedure in which a small amount of radiofrequency energy is used to destroy the abnormal cells that are causing the heart to beat erratically while leaving the healthy heart tissue intact. Studies have shown catheter ablation to be more effective than medication, and patients report an improved quality of life and overall function. While not a permanent treatment, A-fib ablation has a higher success rate than medical therapy—84% of ablation patients experience freedom from A-fib for three years. 

If you have been diagnosed with A-fib and experience side effects from the prescribed antiarrhythmic medications, talk to your cardiologist about catheter ablation.

KARAM AYOUB, M.D. is a cardiac electrophysiologist at UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute.