Heart Care Team Celebrates 40th Ablation

Norman Regional’s heart care team recently accomplished its 40^th ablation! The team has been performing ablation procedures for about three months.

An ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that treats irregular heartbeats or arrhythmia. During the procedure, a physician targets abnormal tissue in the heart through a catheter inserted into the body. This procedure can not only eliminate arrhythmia but also reduce the need to take medications, improve symptoms of this disease and reduce the risk of stroke or heart failure.

At Norman Regional, Robin Singh, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist with Norman Heart & Vascular Associates, performs ablations with his team in Norman Regional Hospital’s Cath Lab. An electrophysiologist is an expert in the heart's electrical system, which controls the heart’s rhythm.

“I’m grateful for our awesome team at Norman Regional,” Dr. Singh said. “These procedures result in a better quality of life for patients and reduce their risk of developing complications from heart arrhythmia. We are proud to offer this option to the community.”

This ablation was also the team’s first without the use of x-ray – called a fluoroless ablation. This is important because it reduces the amount of radiation exposure for both the patient and for the care team. During this type of procedure, the surgeon uses electroanatomical mapping system to guide instruments, called catheters, through the heart. The fluoroless procedure is just as safe and accurate as a traditional ablation.

Who Can Benefit from Ablations?

A good candidate for a cardiac ablation, is someone who who is suffering from an arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation (Afib) where medications are either not preferred or have proven to be ineffective. Other heart rhythm abnormalities that would benefit from ablation include atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

What is the Recovery Like from a Cardiac Ablation?

Most patients who undergo a cardiac ablation can leave the hospital the same day or the morning after their procedure. Recovery time can vary, but most patients can return to their normal activities within a week.

For Patients: How to Get Started

Are you a patient suffering from an irregular heart rhythm? Are you concerned your medications may not be working or that your condition is worsening? Please talk to your primary care physician today. They can help refer you to a cardiologist. Some insurance plans may also allow you to set up an appointment directly with a cardiologist. Call Norman Heart & Vascular Associates at 405-515-2222 for more information and to see if Dr. Singh can help improve your symptoms.