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Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Before Your
Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Before YourProcedureThe heart has its own electrical system that helps keep the heart in rhythm and helps control how fast it beats.With atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, tiny areas of heart tissue send extra electrical signals.Those extra signals cause the upper chambers of your heart, called the atria, to quiver or "fibrillate." And thatupsets the steady rhythm of your heartbeat.Catheter ablation is a procedure that destroys the tissue that's causing problems. These areas are usually tiny.And destroying them does not affect the heart's ability to do its job.First you’ll get medicine that may make you sleep or feel sleepy, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure.The doctor may make a small cut or incision—or it might be just a small poke— in a blood vessel in your armor groin, on the upper thigh.And then a thin tube called a catheter will go into the blood vessel. To guide the catheter, your doctor looks atpictures of your heart using an X-ray. The catheter first goes in through the upper right chamber of your heart,called the right atrium.Then it's moved into the left atrium. This is where the heart tissue that causes a-fib is usually found. When thetissue is found, the doctor uses the tip of the catheter to destroy, or ablate, the tissue.When finished, your doctor removes the catheter. You'll stay in a recovery room for a few hours. This is tomake sure that the catheter site has healed enough to stop any bleeding.The nurse may use something like a weighted bag to put pressure on the catheter site to keep it from bleeding.Before the surgery, tell your doctor about all the medicines and natural health products you take, especiallyblood thinners, like aspirin. Some can raise the risk of bleeding or cause problems with anesthesia.Your doctor will tell you which medicines to take or stop before surgery. And follow your doctor’s directions forpreparing for your surgery, including when you should stop eating and drinking.Bring your photo ID, insurance card, and any paperwork your hospital may have asked for. Preparing for acatheter ablation may be stressful. But knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help.And if you have any questions or concerns, you can always call your doctor.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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