ABLATION

A LIFELONG FRIEND WILL BE UNDERGOING AN ABLATION FOR HIS A FIB. HE WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE ENTERING BETWEEN HIS TOES SINCE, THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID ANESTHETIZING HIM. I AM A CARDIOTHORACIC RN AND HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK SOME OF OUR CARDIOLOGISTS BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THIS APPROACH. CAN YOU COMMENT?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

There is no treatment for AF that enters at the toes.  They will enter the femoral veins.  The number access points varies by the approach.  It might be worth clarifying what approach they are planning before proceeding.