AV Node Ablation
Ablation of the atrioventricular node (or AV node, also called AV junction) is a procedure by which the electrical pathway that connects the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles) is intentionally disrupted. The AV node is modified using a procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation. A catheter, or wire with a metal tip is inserted by your doctor from the femoral vein in your groin region to the heart using an x-ray machine for guidance (fluoroscopy). The catheter tip is directed to the AV node. Once in place, a small amount of radiofrequency energy or heat is applied to injure the tissue and electrically disconnect the upper and lower chambers.
AV Node ablation is used to prevent the upper chambers from controlling the rate of the lower chambers, which determines the heart rate and pulse rate. The procedure is typically performed for patients in atrial fibrillation or other fast arryhthmias of the upper chambers that cannot be adequately slowed with medications. AV Node ablation may also be used to promote pacing with a biventricular pacing (also called cardiac resychronization) device.
AV Node ablation is not intentionally reversible. Patients who receive AV node ablations will require some type of pacemaker indefinitely. For these reasons, AV node ablation is typically reserved for patients with more advanced heart conditions or for patients in whom all other measures to control atrial fibrillation or other atrial arrhythmias have not been successful.