Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the upper chamber of the heart quivers out of sync with the bottom chamber. In untreated cases of the condition, also known as A-fib, a person is more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
During atrial fibrillation, the SA (sinoatrial) node does not direct the heart’s electrical rhythm. An atria’s rhythm is instead characterized by a rapid, chaotic rate of firing of many different impulses at the same time. Due to the rapid and chaotic electrical impulses, the atria cannot contract and/or squeeze blood effectively into the ventricle.
Pulmonary Vein Ablation
Atrial fibrillation can be treated with pulmonary vein ablation. A pulmonary vein ablation is one option for treating atrial fibrillation and may be most suitable for patients who:
Continue to experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation despite medications
Intolerant to or adversely affected by antiarrhythmic drugs
A normal rhythm can be restored, the heart rate can be controlled, symptoms are reduced, and blood clots and strokes are reduced.
Procedure Overview
As part of the procedure, an energy heart doctor (cardiologist) uses the tip of the catheter to deliver energy to tissue to be ablated. Circularly, the energy is applied around the pulmonary vena cava that connects to the left atrium.
Risk Factors For Atrial Fibrillation
There are certain factors that increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, despite the fact that the underlying cause is the misfiring of the electrical signals in the heart. These factors include:
High Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the leading risk factors for strokes. A blood pressure measurement refers to the force with which blood presses against the artery walls as it circulates through the body. As a result of high blood pressure, the heart has to pump harder to circulate the blood. Circulation problems can result from weakening artery walls.
The heart itself can also be affected by hypertension. As a result of increased pressure, the heart’s pumping chambers (the ventricles) become thicker. High blood pressure also causes the upper chambers of the heart to dilate. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with the size of the atria.
People with Afib and high blood pressure are at greater risk for strokes. Medication and lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can control high blood pressure. Click here to learn more about getting your blood pressure checked and hypertension.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
A buildup of fat and cholesterol in the arteries that supply blood to your heart is known as coronary artery disease, or CAD. Plaques clog the heart arteries as they accumulate slowly. A severely blocked artery can reduce blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain or even a heart attack.
Coronary artery disease is a progressive and hereditary condition, although there are various risk factors that can play a role in its progression.
Heart Valve Problems
Afib is associated with heart valve problems (valvular heart disease). Because your heart’s valves control the direction in which your blood flows, they’re essential to proper circulation. Providing your body with oxygen is vital to the health of your heart valves. If your heart valves don’t work as they should, your heart and other organs may be at risk.
A person’s heart valves fall into two general categories: congenital problems, which are present at birth (although some may not exhibit symptoms until adulthood); and acquired problems, which develop over time.
There are many factors that can increase a person’s risk of acquiring a valve disease, just as valve disease is a risk factor for Afib. Here you will find information about the different types of valve diseases, as well as complications, risk factors, treatments, and more.
Heart Attack
Other risk factors for Afib include heart attacks. Heart attacks are caused by a sudden blockage of an artery supplying blood to the heart. Blockages are caused by a disease process called atherosclerosis, which causes fat to build up in your arteries. Plaque narrows arteries, making them less able to flow blood.
The most common cause of death for men and women in the United States is coronary artery disease. Approximately 785,000 Americans have their first heart attack every year, according to the American Heart Association. Around 470,000 people who have had a heart attack before will have another one. Here’s more information about heart attacks.
Lung Disease
One risk factor for Afib is lung disease, but lung disease refers to a number of medical problems relating to the lungs. These can include the following:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- Pulmonary edema
- Lung cancer
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary embolism, when a blood clot forms in a vein in the leg (this is referred to as deep vein thrombosis) and travels through the body to the lung
Several types of lung disease exist, each with its own causes, treatments, and symptoms, according to the American Lung Association.
Stimulants
Generally, anything that causes the heart to beat faster increases the risk of Afib. A number of substances can increase your heart rate and trigger arrhythmias, including alcohol, caffeine, some medications (including over-the-counter cold medicines) and tobacco. Amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine (among others) and other illegal drugs can cause Afib.
Sleep Apnea
Afib is associated with sleep apnea. Many people with cardiovascular disease suffer from sleep apnea. Your breathing may pause and then restart several times while you sleep if you have sleep apnea. An apnea occurs when your breathing airway becomes temporarily blocked during sleep. This causes your heart to work harder during these pauses.
In addition to keeping you from getting restful sleep and making you exhausted and incapable of concentrating during the day, sleep apnea can cause the electrical impulses in the heart to misfire, thereby causing atrial fibrillation.
Cardiomyopathy
Afib is also associated with cardiomyopathy, a general term that includes diseases of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy causes the heart to become enlarged, thick, or tough, so that it cannot pump as well as it should. It does not pump blood efficiently and is more likely to develop arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. Cardiomyopathies fall into several categories:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the chambers of the heart enlarge, leading to heart failure if left untreated
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the heart walls are thicker and less flexible, meaning the heart is less able to beat effectively
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the ventricles progressively grow stiffer and more rigid
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), a rare form of cardiomyopathy, in which the walls of the right ventricle die are replaced by scar tissue
Cardiomyopathy can be congenital or acquired, like heart valve disease. A number of risk factors contribute to acquired cardiomyopathy.
Schedule an Appointment
HMDODLLC Center’s medical team is well-versed in diagnosing, treating, and managing heart rhythm problems, including atrial fibrillation. Call our Westminster office today to find out how we can help you with A-fib treatment.
