What is it?
Cryoablation treats and cures cardiac arrhythmias by electrically isolating lesions using cold energy, believed to be safer and more effective than existing procedures or therapies. Arrhythmias (or dysrhythmias) are problems that affect the electrical system of the heart muscle, producing abnormal heart rhythms. They can cause the heart to pump less effectively.
How is it performed?
The procedure involves threading a small catheter into the heart and freezing the tissue that is causing the heart to beat irregularly. Unlike current methods for treating arryhthmias, cryoablation allows cardiologists the advantage of testing the site for accuracy before carrying out the actual procedure. By threading a catheter through veins from the groin into the heart, cardiologists can map the heart?s electrical impulses and chill tissue suspected of creating a disturbance. First, physicians test potential ablation sites after temporarily chilling tissue in the target area to -30 degrees Celsius, a reversible inert state. Cells that prove to be non-targets are returned to normal temperature and function before physicians reposition the catheter. Once the target site is pinpointed, the catheter tip is cooled to -75 degrees Celsius to freeze the affected tissue.
Hospitalization:
Cryoablation procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis. Patients undergoing cryoablation report less pain from the procedure because the tissues do not swell.