Radiofrequency catheter ablation using the CARTO navigation system allows for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia in just one procedure. The treatment is performed in a minimally invasive manner – a catheter is guided to the heart through a large blood vessel. Control over the catheter's position is carried out in real-time using data from computed tomography and magnetic sensors.
Unlike traditional radiofrequency ablation, ablation using CARTO offers unparalleled precision and minimizes radiation exposure to the patient (as there is no need to use intraoperative X-ray).
Radiofrequency Method for Treating Arrhythmia
Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a highly effective method for treating heart arrhythmia. The rhythm of the heart muscle contractions is determined by electrical impulses generated within the heart itself. By targeting specific areas of the heart, the rhythm of its contractions can be altered, which is the aim of the ablation procedure.
During the procedure, the patient remains conscious, and the intervention is performed under local anesthesia. A catheter (electrode) is inserted into a large vein or artery of the patient. The electrode is positioned in the appropriate area of the heart muscle and "burns" a specific point with a radiofrequency impulse, creating the necessary changes in the heart's conduction system, thereby resolving the arrhythmia.
Before delivering the radiofrequency impulse, heart mapping is performed to accurately localize tissues with pathological electrical activity. In classical ablation methods, the positioning of the electrode is controlled using operational X-ray, which results in the patient receiving excessive radiation exposure (however, the radiation dose does not exceed 1 millisievert).
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The CARTO System – A Step Forward in Catheter Ablation of the Heart
CARTO is the latest navigation system for radiofrequency catheter ablation of the heart, allowing for real-time selection of the most effective points of impact and electrode orientation. The main advantages of this system include:
- minimization of radiation exposure and the absence of the need for X-ray during electrode insertion – the system obtains catheter position data using magnetic fields;
- increased precision of ablation;
- the ability to perform a repeat procedure using data from the previous ablation.
The CARTO navigation system can be conditionally divided into four blocks. The first block is responsible for creating a static magnetic field, the second includes catheter positioning sensors, the third processes the data received from these sensors, and the fourth is a workstation.
The determination of spatial coordinates and the position of the catheter occurs through the analysis of data from the magnetic field created around the patient. The field is generated by three computer-controlled magnets, each calibrated to produce a field of a specific strength. Together, these magnets create a unique grid of magnetic coordinates.
A magnetic sensor is located at the end of the electrode, and six additional sensors are attached to the patient's chest and back. Thus, the system allows for the calculation of the exact location of the electrode at any moment based on magnetic field data. This information is displayed on a computer monitor as a three-dimensional image, allowing the surgeon to accurately position the electrode at the desired point in the heart.
The system allows for the simultaneous use of both magnetic field data and computed tomography data. The physician can observe a three-dimensional image of the catheter and heart on the computer screen in real-time. The catheter can also be used for ECG monitoring in addition to ablation.
CARTO Ablation in Israel – Prices
Patients who have undergone CARTO ablation in Israel report high effectiveness and safety of this navigation system. The cost of CARTO ablation in Israel is suitable for almost everyone – the procedure is relatively inexpensive and costs 30-50% less than similar arrhythmia treatment methods in clinics in the European Union and the USA.
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Advantages of CARTO Ablation at the Top Ichilov Center
- High precision, which allows, for example, to target areas of the heart near the pulmonary arteries, which are difficult to access with conventional ablation. The system's accuracy is within fractions of a millimeter.
- The ability to monitor the position of the catheter in real-time without the need for X-ray equipment (thus, the patient does not receive radiation exposure).
- During ablation, the physician marks points of impact on a three-dimensional model of the heart, which spares the patient from repeated ablation of the same points – the system allows for the use of computer data from previous ablations in future similar procedures.
- The effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation using the CARTO system depends on the professionalism and level of interaction between two specialists – the technician providing visualization and the surgeon. Our clinic employs doctors with extensive experience using this system, who have successfully treated hundreds of patients with arrhythmia.
- Preliminary diagnostics and the ablation procedure itself at the Top Ichilov center are conducted in comfortable conditions. The medical staff at our clinic treats patients with respect and kindness. The translation of medical documentation and communication with specialists who do not speak the patient's native language is handled by a curator-translator.
CARTO ablation in Israel, according to reviews from people who have already undergone this procedure, is a very effective and quick method for treating arrhythmia. The specialists at our clinic utilize all the advantages of this navigation system to restore health and enable individuals to lead an active lifestyle.