AV node ablation for atrial fibrillationHow the heart's electrical system worksslide 1 of 5 slide 1 of 5, How the heart's electrical system works, In a normal heart, electrical impulses pace the rhythm at
which the heart contracts and relaxes. The sinoatrial (SA) node triggers the
electrical impulse, causing the upper chambers (atria) to contract. The signal
travels through the atrioventricular (AV) node to the atrioventricular bundle,
which divides into the Purkinje fibers that carry the signal and cause the
lower chambers (ventricles) to contract. The electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG)
shows this normal electrical activity. How atrial fibrillation happensslide 2 of 5 slide 2 of 5, How atrial fibrillation happens, In atrial fibrillation, erratic electrical impulses in the
upper chambers of the heart (atria) cause those chambers to fibrillate, or
quiver. This results in an irregular and frequently rapid heart rate. The
irregular, sawtooth pattern in the electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) shows these
erratic impulses. Catheter is threaded through a vein to the heartslide 3 of 5 slide 3 of 5, Catheter is threaded through a vein to the heart, For this nonsurgical procedure, catheters are inserted into a vein, typically
in the groin or neck, and threaded through the vena cava vein into the
right atrium of the heart. AV node is destroyedslide 4 of 5 slide 4 of 5, AV node is destroyed, An electrode at the tip of the catheter sends out
radio-frequency energy, creating heat that destroys (ablates) the
atrioventricular (AV) node or other heart tissue that is responsible for the
erratic impulses. Pacemaker controls the heart rhythmslide 5 of 5 slide 5 of 5, Pacemaker controls the heart rhythm, When the AV node is ablated, a permanent pacemaker is implanted
that paces the ventricle. The pulse generator and battery part of the pacemaker
are implanted under the skin of the chest. The electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG) show the heart's electrical activity during atrial fibrillation and when
a heart has a pacemaker. ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology Current as ofApril 3, 2017 Current as of:
April 3, 2017 Author:
Healthwise Staff Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & John M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
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