Akron Children's Hospital can cure many abnormal heart rhythms through two minimally invasive procedures - radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. Cryoablation involves freezing the heart tissue and radio frequency uses heat to cure rapid heartbeats.
Current technologies also allow for real-time, 3-dimensional mapping within the heart without flouroscopy (X-ray exposure). This allows the cardiologist to see the catheters throughout the entire procedure without exposing the patient to radiation.
On Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6 p.m. EDT, watch the premiere program "Minimally Invasive Treatment of Rapid Heartbeats in Children" hosted by cardiologists John Clark and Grace Smith to learn more about how fluoroscopy free catheter ablation can eliminate rapid heart rhythms.
The Pediatric Arrhythmia Center at Akron Children's Hospital treats children and teens with all types of cardiac rhythm abnormalities, such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Pediatric electrophysiologists (cardiologists specializing in heart rhythm disorders) recommend ablations as the primary therapy for children ages 5 and older with rapid heart rates. They also recommend ablative therapy for children younger than 5 years of age if other treatments aren't working.