CATHERER ABLATION

Hi:

I'm told I have SVT's and PVC's (also the word ectopic was used).  When I went for an ablation as I understood the doctor my arrhythmias originate on the left side of my heart and the equipment used allowed him to get to the right side of my heart.  He said there is equipment now being used in the US (has been used in Europe) that would allow him to go up to my heart and go over to the left side.  He said it is very new in this country and doctors should be more familiar with it in about a year.

Do you know what equipment he is talking about and if so, how safe/effective this equipment is?

Thanks, Lin

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Linda,

This equipment is not that new and here at CCF we use it all the time.  It is done through and artery rather than a vein.

[LINDA CAROLEO]

Thanks for answering my question.  Could you answer one more:
From what I hear, success rates going through the vein are fairly high and that type of ablation is pretty safe.  How safe is doing an ablation by going through the vein and what is the success rate?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

The success rates are as high as 95 % for more typical bypass tracts in the heart.