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Question:
Is technology for RF ablation safe to perform in the left side of the heart?
I have received one exploratory surgery and two RF Ablations to treat SVT. My cardiologist found 'unusual anatomy' in that there are two electrical signals coming from the AV Node, the slow pathway is entwined with the muscle fibers of the coronary sinus and is into the left side of the heart. I've been on 50mg of Atenolol daily, but still experience random events of SVT which usually are controlled by 'bearing down'. What I would like to know is if you feel the technology has come far enough to making going into the left side of the heart safe yet? I would like to not have to be on medication for the rest of my life and it also limits my physical exertion levels. Thank you so much for this venue. I anticipate your response. Be well.
submitted by Cheryl from South Florida on 3/7/10
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, J. Alberto Lopez, MD
Yes. We work and perform ablations in the left side all the time. Also some of us have cryo ablation that allows us to be more aggressive with the ablation while keeping the risk of AV block and pacemaker very close to 0.
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Updated March 2010
