Disclaimer

Nothing in this blog should be taken as medical advice. It is only what we've learned from our experience and research.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Ablation



After Levi's heart transplant he suffered from arrhythmia.  It was explained to us that the impulses moving through the heart would take a wrong turn, travel in circles and cause the arrhythmia.  This is dangerous because arrhythmia can cause clots.  

Ablation is a treatment to fix this.  The doctors insert a catheter in a pulmonary vein and use it to try to find the errant circuit.  When found, energy is delivered through the catheter to disconnect the path, directing the impulses in the correct route.  

Levi has had this procedure done three times.  The first two times it was quickly apparent that it was unsuccessful.  The most recent time it was successful at first but the palpitations began again after a couple of weeks.  The next option may be a pacemaker.

Below is a picture of the ablation procedure found on Port Huron Hospital's web site.

Pulmonary Vein Isolation Ablation

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