he new and highly accurate operation is being used to treat atrial fibrillationOne million British patients with a ‘racing heart’ condition that puts them at high risk of stroke could soon be offered super-fast surgery that slashes time on the operating table by a third. The new, highly accurate operation is being used to treat atrial fibrillation, in which heart nerves misfire, leading to a rapid, irregular pulse. Conventional ablation has been used to treat these disturbances for 20 years, but until now this has been a difficult procedure, taking about three hours. Because the heart continues to beat during the ablation procedure, surgeons have to aim the probe’s rays at a moving target. This allows surgeons to carefully monitor heart rate, and check that it is normal before finishing the operation.

Source: Daily Mail September 12, 2020 21:02 UTC