ablation - know which kind ?

[Guest guest]

There is a huge increase in the number of ablation of the AV node.

Some Doctors are not adequately exlaining that this has nothing to

do with the ablation as performed by Natal ( and others) also called

PVI . Unfortnately the word ablation is all many patients hear.

Ablation means destroying tissue.

Here are the basics so that those who are being told " we may need to

do an ablation " ;can figure-out what, they are signing up for .

I belive there is a place for this procedure but I think there are

many more being done than there should be. Another case where " when

you have a hammer in your hand everything looks like a nail ! " (The

Doctor recommends the procedure he can perform)

NSR 2.6 years whole foods lifestyle . no anti arrhythmetics.

excerpt from : http://members.aol.com/mazern/index.htm

Catheter ablation of the AV node may be performed to modify the

ventricular response to atrial tachycardias and atrial fibrillation.

This therapy is usually reserved for patients with rapid heart rates

that are not well-controlled with medications and present with

symptoms related to the uncontrolled heart rate. The procedure

destroys the tissue at the AV node and His bundle and stops the

conduction of all electrical impulses from the atria to the

ventricles. In other words, it disconnects the electrical pathway

that drives the bottom of the heart.

Ablation of the AV node requires the placement of a permanent

pacemaker at the time of the procedure. The pacemaker then provides a

steady and regular heart beat (ie. ventricular beat) that often

diminishes the symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation, even

though the atria continue to fibrillate. This procedure does not cure

atrial fibrillation nor does it diminish the risk of stroke and

therefore, anticoagulation will be continued after the procedure.

However, some patients are able to reduce or discontinue medications

such as beta blockers or anti-arrhythmics following an AV nodal

ablation because the ventricular rate is now controlled by the

pacemaker.