Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Posted July 2, 2008 1:11 AM
Posted in
(RFA)
Definition
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that uses heat to destroy abnormal tissues in the body.
Parts of the Body Involved
Radiofrequency ablation can be used in a number of locations throughout the body, including:
- Liver
- Heart
- Bone
- Kidney
- Breast
- Lung
- Prostate
- Adrenal gland
- Soft palate
- Nerves
- Veins
Reasons for Procedure
Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat:
- Cancerous tumors in the liver, bone, kidney, breast, lung or adrenal gland, particularly those that have not responded, or are unlikely to respond to surgery and/or chemotherapy alone (often used to treat tumors that have spread)
- Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular and/or rapid heart rhythms due to abnormal electrical conduction pathways)
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia —condition in which enlarged areas of the prostate may be responsible for compressing the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body)
- Overgrown areas of the soft palate that may be responsible for severe snoring and/or sleep apnea (periods of time when breathing stops during sleep)
- Pain from soft tissue tumors
- Severe nerve pain
- Varicose veins
Radiofrequency Ablation Results
Ablation procedure blocked impulses that had been causing atrial fibrillation.
© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
- Preoperative tests usually including blood tests and electrocardiogram (EKG) testing.
- Do not eat solid foods at least eight hours prior to the procedure.
- Do not drink clear fluids about two hours prior to the procedure.
Anesthesia
Most radiofrequency ablation procedures are done by placing small needles or probes into the abnormal tissue. These kinds of procedures usually only require sedatives to help you relax and local anesthetics to numb the area where the probe will be inserted.
In some cases, radiofrequency ablation can be done as part of an open surgical operation. In this event, the type of anesthesia used— general or spinal—will depend on the extent of the total operation.
Description of the Procedure
- An IV will be placed to give you fluids and medications to help you relax.
- Your heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen, and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the procedure.
- The area where the probe will be inserted is numbed with local anesthetic.
- CT , ultrasound , or MRI images may be used to better localize the area requiring treatment.
- The probe will be inserted into or directly up against the abnormal tissue. In some cases, once the probe is inserted, a number of electrodes will be introduced through the probe into the area, to allow treatment of a greater volume of tissue.
- A small amount of heat-generating electricity will be introduced through the probe, in order to heat the abnormal tissue and destroy it.
- The probe may be repositioned to destroy other areas of tissue.
- The probe and electrodes are all withdrawn at the end of the procedure.
After Procedure
You’ll need to stay in bed for monitoring for about 2-3 hours after the procedure, or until sedative medications have worn off sufficiently.
How Long Will It Take?
The amount of time for the actual treatment may be from 10-60 minutes, although preparation time and postoperative monitoring may increase your stay in the hospital or clinic to several hours.
Will It Hurt?
Medications are available to prevent most pain or discomfort that the procedure may cause.
Possible Complications
- Excessive discomfort
- Bruising or bleeding
- Infection of the area where the probe was inserted
- Lung collapse upon insertion of the probe (when the procedure involves the lung, liver, or upper kidney)
- Blood clots or damage to heart muscle or conduction pathways after procedures on the heart
- Liver abscess (small, localized collection of pus within a cavity left by the destroyed tissue)
- Damage to tissue surrounding the target area
Average Hospital Stay
Many radiofrequency ablation procedures are done on an outpatient basis, meaning that you will be able to go home the same day. In some situations, you may need to stay overnight for monitoring.
Postoperative Care
Don’t drive within the first 24 hours after the procedure. Depending on the type of condition being treated, you may be asked to avoid strenuous activities for some time after the procedure. You will probably be able to eat and drink normally immediately following the procedure if local anesthetics were used.
RESOURCES:
American College of Radiology
http://www.acr.org/s_acr/index.asp
The Radiological Society of North America
http://www.rsna.org/
Society of Interventional Radiology
http://www.sirweb.org/patPub/minimallyInvasiveTreat.shtml
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Radiological Society of North America
http://www.rsna.org
References:
American Heart Association. The Radiofrequency Ablation page. Available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4682 . Accessed 28 August 2006.
National Institutes of Health. The Radiofrequency Ablation page. Available at http://www.cc.nih.gov/drd/rfa/frame-background.html . Accessed 28 August 2006.
RadiologyInfo. The Interventional Radiology page. Available at http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/sitemap/category.cfm?category=ir&bhcp=1 . Accessed 28 August 2006.
Last reviewed April 2008 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
Source: EBSCO
Ads by Google
Newsletter Sign up
Sign-up for our free ThirdAge newsletters to receive the latest articles, advice tips and more!
