For rhythm disorders of heart like atrial fibrillation, where heart beats rapidly than the normal rate, the alternate/additional origin of this electrical impulse or abnormal connection is mapped out through Electro-Physiology Study (EPS); and the area is catheter ablated to stop such activity.
Standard Catheter Ablation procedure is not that accurate. Now, use of 3D technology made it easier to accurately map the area that helps for near accurate catheter ablation.
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| Atrial fibrillation (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The chief complains of atrial fibrillation include;
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat,
- Fast heart rate called palpitations,
- Light-headedness,
- Extreme fatigue,
- Shortness of breath or chest pain.
If untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. In fact, people with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to have a stroke than people without the condition.
The research team used the new 3-D mapping technology on 49 patients between 2012 and 2013 and compared them with nearly 200 patients with similar conditions who received conventional treatment during that same time period.
About one year after catheter ablation, nearly 79% of patients who had the 3-D procedure were free of their atrial fibrillation, compared to only 47.4% of patients who underwent a standard ablation procedure.
