The procedure for ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The procedure is the latest method and has evolved as an alternative to radiofrequency ablation. It results in fewer complications than radiofrequency ablation, better tolerated by patients, superior to medication therapy, and at least as successful as radiofrequency ablation.
Why would you need the procedure?
The pulmonary vein cryoablation is performed to terminate the onset of cardiac arrhythmia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
When would you need the procedure?
The procedure is indicated in patients who have symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that does not respond to drug therapy.
What does the procedure include?
The procedure is performed at cardiac catheterization laboratory. Under local anesthesia, a blood vessel is punctured to place a balloon catheter. The catheter is pushed to the pulmonary veins and the tissue around the pulmonary veins is cooled to about -80 Celsius in order to destroy (ablate) the source of the arrhythmia and establish a normal heart rhythm.
How to get prepared?
It is necessary to be on empty stomach and with a shaved groin. Bring your complete medical records, daily drug therapy, and personal hygiene accessories. The expected hospital stay is two days (the day of the procedure and the morning after the procedure). Prior to hospitalization, basic laboratory tests should be performed on an outpatient basis: blood type, CBC, CRP, K, Na, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, PT or INR, APTT. These findings should not be older than 14 days. Persons suffering from diabetes or chronic renal failure should have increased hydration for several days before the procedure. If you are taking medicines that prevent blood clotting (Martefarin, Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.) you should notify the interventional cardiologist one week before the scheduled surgery to agree about the time of discontinuation of therapy. In case of acute inflammatory events (pneumonia, urinary tract inflammation, influenza, etc.) or in case of an allergy to iodine contrast, the interventional cardiologist should be informed on time.