What is ventricular tachycardia ablation?
Ventricular tachycardia ablation is a catheter-based procedure used to treat abnormal heart rhythms that originate in the ventricles, known as ventricular tachycardia (VT). It involves targeting and modifying areas of heart tissue responsible for sending out faulty electrical signals. This approach can help reduce the frequency and severity of VT episodes, particularly when medications have not been effective.Who might be a candidate for ventricular tachycardia ablation?
• Patients with sustained VT that has not responded to antiarrhythmic drugs.• Individuals with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) who are experiencing frequent shocks.
• Patients with structural heart disease and symptomatic or recurrent VT.
• Those with idiopathic VT (VT without underlying heart disease) who prefer to avoid long-term medications.
What to expect during ventricular tachycardia ablation
• The procedure is typically done under conscious sedation or general anesthesia.• Thin catheters are inserted through blood vessels (usually in the groin) and guided into the heart.
• Advanced mapping techniques are used to locate the origin of the abnormal rhythm.
• Radiofrequency energy or cryoablation is applied to destroy or isolate the problematic tissue.
• The procedure can last several hours and usually requires an overnight hospital stay.
What are the risks of ventricular tachycardia ablation?
• Bleeding, infection, or damage to blood vessels at the catheter insertion site.• Risk of injury to heart tissue or nearby structures.
• New arrhythmias or worsening of existing rhythm issues in some cases.
• Rarely, complications may include stroke, cardiac tamponade, or need for emergency surgery.
Recovery from ventricular tachycardia ablation
• Most patients stay in the hospital for one or more nights for rhythm monitoring.• Mild soreness, bruising, or fatigue may be expected for a few days.
• Activity may be limited temporarily to allow the catheter site to heal.
• Follow-up visits and remote monitoring (especially for ICD patients) are important.
• Some patients may still need medications or additional procedures based on outcomes.