Goiás state governor, Ronaldo Caedo, underwent a catheter ablation procedure to treat an arrhythmia at Vila Nova Star Hospital, in São Paulo. A medical bulletin issued on Monday reported that the Goiás state governor is clinically stable and his discharge is expected to depend on the development of his health condition.
What is catheter ablation?
Catheter ablation is like “turning off” a small part of the heart that is sending the wrong electrical signals. It is a simple, safe procedure and widely recommended under international medical guidelines.
How is catheter ablation performed?
This procedure can be performed with sedation or general anesthesia. Generally, it is performed when medications do not work well or cause side effects. In this procedure, catheters (thin tubes) are inserted into the veins of the leg or arm, which are guided to the heart. This catheter allows for an electrocardiogram so the doctor can pinpoint exactly where the arrhythmia starts.
When this point is identified, ablation can be performed in two ways: by radiofrequency, in which heat cauterizes a small point in the heart tissue, and by cryoablation, in which cold is used to freeze the area responsible for the arrhythmia.
The goal is to interrupt the abnormal electrical circuit, allowing the heart rhythm to return to normal. Studies show that success rates generally range between 70% and 95%, depending on the arrhythmia. Furthermore, there is an improvement in quality of life and a decrease in symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath or dizziness. The risk of complications is low and the most common are bruising in the groin, where the catheter is inserted.