Indications for ablation of the heart and its complications
Before and after catheter ablation, it is imperative that an electrophysiological study be performed. Having established the localization of a pathological arrhythmogenic focus, according to strict indications, its ablation is performed with a high frequency current (approximately 500 kHz). In clinical practice, catheter ablation is successfully performed for the following tachyarrhythmic disorders:
• atrial fibrillation;
• atrial flutter;
• an extra bundle of conduction in WPW syndrome;
• reciprocal AV-node tachycardia;
• ventricular tachycardia.
Complications of catheter ablation include: bleeding, thrombosis, embolism, cardiac tamponade. In reciprocal AV-node tachycardia, complete AV-blockade can sometimes develop, in which implantation of a pacemaker is necessary (approximately in 1% of cases).
Catheter ablation is indicated primarily for patients in whom the arrhythmia is resistant to drug therapy and is accompanied by severe clinical symptoms.