Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Oliver Segal, says that laser balloon ablation is the preferred treatment option for atrial fibrillation in most cases. The technique has not resulted in a single stroke event making it the safest treatment currently available; rates of stroke are recorded in up to 1% of cases with other ablation treatments.
No surgery is required, but unfortunately not all patients will be suitable. Only patients with paroxysmal, or intermittent atrial fibrillation, or those with recent persistent atrial fibrillation are suitable for the laser balloon. Patients with more longstanding atrial fibrillation require more extensive ablation procedures that are performed with radiofrequency ablation catheters.
Patients with paroxysmal or intermittent atrial fibrillation have a very high chance of this becoming persistent or permanent one day. Although ablation is still possible at that stage, the success rate falls. It is therefore important that anyone diagnosed with atrial fibrillation is aware of the different treatment options and what the implications may be for the future. To find out if you may be suitable for laser balloon ablation please click here.
