Electrophysiology Radio frequency Ablation Question

JeffMandell

I am interested in the medical field of electrophysiology and I have a few questions regarding the procedures done on patients with atrial fibrillation.

What is the purpose of radio frequency ablation on the tissue of the heart? How does damaging the tissue relieve atrial fibrillation?

What are the pros and cons of radio frequency ablation versus cryoablation?

ThinkToday

Source http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/a...ow-af-overview

"Treatment: Ablation
If cardioversion and medications fail to control the symptoms of atrial fibrillation, radiofrequency ablation is an option. This procedure uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the heart tissue responsible for abnormal electrical signals. Although it does not require open heart surgery, ablation has some risks. It is only recommended for people who have serious symptoms despite trying other treatments."

mazinse

Afib is due to ectopic foci thats firing signals that interferes with the normal conduction pathway. The ablation gets rid of that. Not always works though.

Bye the way radiofrequency uses heat, the newer generation probes uses cold/freezing.