new treatment?

[Gertsen]

Has anyone heard about this and is it available in the UK pittsburghmagazine.com/Pitt...

[jennydog]

How interesting! I had never considered the effects of the ablation procedure on staff.

AND, did I really read this correctly? Superman Doug was back in work the day after his ablation!!!!

[CDreamer in reply to jennydog]

Mmmmmm........ says it all really doesn't it! More hype than substance.

[BobD Volunteer]

Just had a quick read and the short answer is no. I note that teh actual ablation is just the same but the way of visualising is different meaning less Xray exposure which wwill be good once it rolls out. I would not expect this in the next five years min. and then only somewhere like Barts or RBHT.

I did read some while ago about an experimental procedure using a camera on the catheter for laser ablation but that went quiet. I'm still looking forward to "The Fantastic Journey " for old film buffs.

[CDreamer]

It's still an PV ablation - not a new treatment - they are talking about the GPS 3D mapping which is used to guide catheters in a cath lab. It's a particular method of 3D mapping which uses very little radiation - the main benefit will be to safe-guard staff who are in there for many hours a week. The title used is most misleading! It is NOT in itself a treatment.

Quote:- From a patient perspective, their experience is the same. But the zero-fluoroscopy approach is safer for patients and staff.”​

To my knowledge, I don't know anywhere using this technique - I suspect you would need to ask the hospital performing an ablation about their state of the art equipment. Cath labs are often refitted every 5 years or so. Judging by the lead jackets staff were wearing when I was last in cath lab - October I don't think our hospital has this technology - yet!

I'm not sure of the stats but living in Cornwall you would be exposed to a lot more background radiation.

Fluoroscopy: The radiologist, or radiographer, can watch the X-ray of the patient moving in real-time and take snapshots. This type of X-ray might be used to watch the activity of the gut after a barium meal. Fluoroscopy uses more X-ray radiation than a standard X-ray, but the amounts are still extremely small.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

The de vinci robot enabled the operator (EP) to sit outside and avoid radiation but I understand that Richard Schilling no longer uses it for whatever reason. These new ideas come and go.

Cornwall + radon gas etc?

[perkman]

I had this 3D mapping on my ablation. My EP stated it added years to his career due to minimal radiation exposure. The vest used for conventional fluroscopy is lead and heavy. Some EPs experienced back problems from the extended wearing of the vest. It is also better for the patient, limiting radiation exposure.

[Liverpool10]

I have just had this done in Broadgreen Liverpool uk. Went home next day. Had a few problems fir a few days after but all ok now I think!

[Rosemaryb1349]

I had this GPS guidance done with my last (third) ablation in Aberdeen on 1st August 2018. The second ablation one year earlier had had to be aborted mid-way as catheter went through vein wall and pierced an artery wall. Happy to report that so far this latest procedure has been a success and I will be returning to Aberdeen in a couple of weeks to discuss coming off Bisporolol 7.5 and Digoxin 125 mgms. Rosie