Cardiac arrhythmias are very common and affects millions of people.
Many arrhythmias can be localized to very small area of the heart using special mapping techniques and eliminated with ablation procedures.
3-D mapping images ( below ) demonstrates human left atrium reconstructed during ablation procedure with 3-D mapping ( NAVAX ) next to computer image of the same patient's left atrium. This type of real-time imaging of the heart is used for navigation inside of the heart and performing ablation procedures. It is common to perform CT can of the heart or MRI of the heart prior to ablation procedures, so these images can be fused or use to guide ablation procedure. Ablation-basically means destruction of small area of tissue with eventual formation of scar tissue. Scar tissue acts like a block to electrical conduction to prevent arrhythmia or directly destroys small area causing abnormal rhythms. Most common energy sources to perform ablation are thermal ( RF, microwave, ultasound, laser etc ) or using extreme cold ( cryoablation ).
3-D mapping images ( below ) demonstrates human left atrium reconstructed during ablation procedure with 3-D mapping ( NAVAX ) next to computer image of the same patient's left atrium. This type of real-time imaging of the heart is used for navigation inside of the heart and performing ablation procedures. It is common to perform CT can of the heart or MRI of the heart prior to ablation procedures, so these images can be fused or use to guide ablation procedure. Ablation-basically means destruction of small area of tissue with eventual formation of scar tissue. Scar tissue acts like a block to electrical conduction to prevent arrhythmia or directly destroys small area causing abnormal rhythms. Most common energy sources to perform ablation are thermal ( RF, microwave, ultasound, laser etc ) or using extreme cold ( cryoablation ).
Dr. Audrius Bredikis, Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Holmes Regional Medical Center has extensive clinical experience of using cryoablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation . He also has more than 20 year of research experience with cryo technologies, co developed several cryo- technologies , authored multiple publications as well presented his research and clinical results at national and international conferences
Dr Audrius Bredikis, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Cardiac Pacing, Defibrillation and Electrophysiology.
Holmes Regional Medical Center
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Central Florida
Office: 1251 S. Hickory street, Melbourne, Florida, Phone 321 434 3420
Comprehensive textbook, describing cryoablation mechanisms, technology and effects of cryoablation on the heart, coronary arteries, veins and other tissues.
