Pulmonary vein isolation
What is pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)?
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or pulmonary vein ablation is a treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that originates in the top chambers of the heart (atria). The goals of treatment for atrial fibrillation include regaining a normal heart rhythm (sinus rhythm), controlling the heart rate, reducing symptoms, and reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke.
Other options are available to treat atrial fibrillation, including lifestyle changes, medications, catheter-based procedures and surgery.
- Clinical studies have shown that in many cases, the extra electrical signals that cause AF are around the pulmonary veins on the left side of the heart.
- Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an option that electrically isolates "hot spots" in the pulmonary veins that trigger AF.
- A catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is used to guide tiny electrodes into the heart where the pulmonary veins are and heat-energy is delivered through the tip of the catheter in wide encircling lesion sets around the pulmonary veins.
- Bursts of radiofrequency energy is applied in a circle around the connection of the left upper and lower pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
- Heat energy destroys the tissue and causes scar tissue to form. This scar tissue blocks the extra electrical signals from the pulmonary veins so the area can no longer generate or conduct fast, irregular impulses.
- This process is carried out around the opening of each of the four pulmonary veins. As a result, the heart usually returns to a normal sinus rhythm.
Position of PVI catheters