Ablation Remains Gold Standard for Treating Cardiac Arrhythmia, Health Expert Says
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ablation remains the gold standard treatment for cardiac arrhythmia, according to a health expert.
- While medication can help manage the condition, it does not always offer a cure.
- Ablation therapy is recommended when drug treatments are insufficient.
Cardiac arrhythmia, a condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms, often requires more than just medication for effective treatment. Dr. Simon Salim, a Cardiovascular and Vascular specialist at Brawijaya Hospital Saharjo, stated that ablation therapy is still considered the gold standard for managing the condition. He explained that while drugs can help control symptoms, they do not always provide a complete cure for the underlying rhythm disorder.
According to Dr. Salim, ablation is a procedure that targets the source of the arrhythmia. It involves using heat or cold energy to create small scars in the heart tissue responsible for the abnormal electrical signals. These scars then block the faulty signals, preventing them from causing an irregular heartbeat. This minimally invasive procedure offers a more definitive solution for many patients when medication proves inadequate.
The expert emphasized that ablation is particularly recommended for patients whose arrhythmias cannot be adequately controlled with medication alone. It offers a chance for a cure or significant long-term improvement, restoring a more normal heart rhythm and improving the patient's quality of life. While the article does not detail the specific types of arrhythmias treated or the success rates of ablation, it highlights its importance as a primary intervention when conservative measures fail.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.