AV nodal ablation

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ayokunle Olubaniyi, M.B,B.S [2]

Synonyms and keywords: AVNA

Overview

Atrioventricular nodal or AV junction ablation is a procedure by which the electrical pathways that connect the atria to the ventricles are modified or interrupted in order to restore a normal cardiac rhythm. This procedure creates a disconnect between the upper chambers (which controls the heart rate and rhythm) and the lower chambers (ventricles). Due to the invasive nature of the procedure and the requirement for a pacemaker implantation, AVNA is mostly as a fallback treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation that is refractory to medications, or have developed side effects to the medications.