Surgical Ablation
As with catheter ablation, surgical ablation uses energy to scar the areas in the heart that are causing irregular electrical signals. But surgical ablation is major surgery, perfomed on the open heart. It is usually done at same time as another heart surgery, such as valve replacement/repair or bypass surgery. It takes only a few extra minutes to create the scars (ablations) that will block the abnormal electrical impulses causing AFib.

As with all open chest procedures, there are risks involved, but surgical ablation can eliminate AFib in up to 96% of patients.

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introduction  |  heart basics  | what happens in afib  |  causes & symptoms  |  diagnosis  |  treatment  |  cardioversion  | medication  |  catheter ablation  | surgical ablation  |  mini-maze  |  your options