This is a keyhole procedure used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, a heart disorder where the atria (upper heart chambers) beat irregularly. Much of the symptoms occur due to the irregular rhythm being transmitted to the ventricles (lower heart chambers). The atrioventricular node (AVN) is the piece of electrical tissue that conducts heartbeats from the top to the bottom of the heart, so ablating it can stop the irregular rhythm reaching the ventricles (lower chambers).
Atrial fibrillation is often treated initially with pills or ablation procedures, but in some patients the atrial fibrillation can become progressively more difficult to control, and in this situation a procedure called atrioventricular nodal ablation may be considered.
Medication is given through a cannula (drip) in the arm to make the patient sleepy, and a thin ablation catheter will be inserted through the top of the leg and round to the heart. The doctors will position this by X-ray and carefully burn away the atrioventricular node. It is usually painless.
A pacemaker will also be inserted as part of the procedure to take over the function of the atrioventricular node unless a pacemaker has been inserted previously. However, the pacemaker is programmed to stop fast heart rates being transmitted to the ventricles (lower chambers) which reduces symptoms of atrial fibrillation.
Atrioventricular nodal ablation is a specialist procedure and requires careful evaluation and planning by expert Consultant Cardiologists. Our team are available for consultation on any day of the week and weekends as well.
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