Why is this procedure done?
The heart has an electrical system that sends signals to the heart. These signals tell the heart to beat and contract in a normal pattern. The electrical signals spread from the top of your heart to the bottom. If the spreading pattern is not normal or regular, it is called an arrhythmia. Your heart may beat faster or slower than normal. ‚
Cardiac catheter cryoablation is a procedure that is used to destroy the abnormal tissue that causes the arrhythmia. It uses very cold temperatures to freeze the abnormal heart tissue. You may need to have this procedure if drugs have not worked to control your abnormal heartbeat. You may also need it if your kind of arrhythmia may cause other problems. ‚
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What will the results be?
Cardiac cryoablation will allow the heart to go back to its normal rate and rhythm. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will do an exam and take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- Any health problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes or kidney problems. This will help your doctor take extra steps to avoid problems.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure
- If you need to take any drugs before your procedure
- The doctor may order:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) ¢ ˆ ’ This will show your hearts electrical activity.
- Echocardiography ¢ ˆ ’ This will show moving pictures of your heart.
- Stress test ¢ ˆ ’ You exercise to make your heart work while the tests are being done.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the procedure.
- Your doctor will put in a special tube called a catheter. It will be placed into a blood vessel in the groin, upper thigh area, arm, or wrist. This catheter is used to freeze the tissue that is causing the abnormal heartbeats.
- X-rays are taken and these are used as a guide. The doctor moves the catheter through the blood vessels and into your heart.
- Your doctor will find the abnormal heart tissue.
- Once the abnormal heart tissue is found, the doctor will freeze the abnormal heart tissue. This freezing will destroy the tissue that caused the arrhythmia.
- The doctor will look for other abnormal heart tissue. If needed, this area will be frozen as well.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages. A pressure dressing may be placed over the cut site to help stop bleeding.
- In some cases, your doctor may tell you that you need a pacemaker.
- The procedure takes 3 to 6 hours or more.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You will be kept in bed for at least 1 hour, and possibly a few hours. If the catheter was put in your arm, you do not have to stay in bed.
- The catheter cut site may be bruised or sore. Your doctor may give you drugs for pain.
- The doctor will use a special tool to measure your hearts activity and blood pressure.
- You may stay overnight in the hospital. You may have to stay longer, based on your condition.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Control your heartbeat
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Injury to blood vessels of the heart
- Hole in the heart
- Fluid around the heart
- Heart attack
- Nerve damage
- Narrowing of the blood vessels
- Need for emergency heart surgery
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
To help keep your heart healthy: ‚
- Eat a healthy diet.
- If you are too heavy, lose weight.
- Eat less salt. This can help lower blood pressure.
- Stay active.
- If you smoke, stop smoking.
- Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and drinks with caffeine.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very slow or quick pulse rate. Problem taking your drugs for the heart.
- Arm or leg where the catheter was put in changes color, is cool to touch, or is numb
- Bleeding at the catheter site that does not stop, even with pressure
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ablation/ ‚
Radiological Society of America ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=cryo ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚