Learn more about catheter-based ablation.

Visit Dr. Shukla on the web at the Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (CAI) http://www.caiaz.com

What to Expect: Catheter Ablation

In catheter ablation, a soft, thin tube is placed through vein of the leg and passed to the heart. The catheter delivers a low-voltage, high-frequency current that destroys the heart tissue responsible for the arrhythmia.

The goals of catheter ablation include:

* A long-term reduction in the number of episodes of arrhythmia and the severity of symptoms, or

* A permanent return to normal heart rhythm

This means that medicines for controlling heart rate or rhythm may be stopped or reduced following successful catheter ablation. Do not modify your medications without consulting your doctor.

Catheter ablation is considered safe and is not associated with a significant risk, so the chance of experiencing complications is very low. For example, the overall rate of complications of catheter ablation ranges from 0.5-1.5%. This is dependent on the type of arrhythmia that is ablated and also may change depending on other illness you may have. That’s comparable to the risk of tubal ligation (1-2%) and much lower than the risk of appendectomy (18%). The electrophysiologist will discuss any particular risks with you before the procedure.

The procedure always begins with an electrophysiology study.

Himanshu H. Shukla, M.D., specializes in treating heart rhythm disorders and
is founder of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (CAI) dedicated to providing
heart care customized to the individual. Dr. Shukla is a member of the Heart
Rhythm Society, has completed training at Columbia University in New York
City, the University of Missouri and the University of Oklahoma. He is
recognized for numerous published articles on the treatment of heart rhythm
disorders, and by the American Heart Association for Outstanding Research.
Dr. Shukla’s community works include raising awareness of heart rhythm
disorders, safety and prevention measures through speeches, training and
counsel; and contributing external defibrillators to local public schools
and other entities.

Dr. Shukla has completed post doctoral training in electrophysiology at the
University of Oklahoma/Oklahoma City which is recognized as a world leader
in treating heart rhythm disorders, participating in an Advanced Fellowship
in Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. He also acquired post-doctoral
training at the University of Missouri-Columbia, completing a Fellowship in
Cardiovascular Medicine, and spent his residency for internal medicine at
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons’ St. Luke’s–Roosevelt
Hospital Center, New York.

In 2003, he was honored by the American Heart Association, receiving its
third Annual Cardiology Fellows Forum of Excellence Award.

Dr. Shukla serves on the medical journal review boards of the Journal of
Cardiovascular Research: Journal of the European Society of Cardiology; and
the Heart Rhythm Journal, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society.

His work has been published on several occasions in medical journals such as
the Heart Rhythm Journal; the Journal of Interventional Cardiac
Electrophysiology (JICE); Cardiovascular Research; and PACE, the official
journal of the International Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Society.
His teachings include Advanced Physical Diagnosis as well as presently
participating in an Electrocardiogram Lectureship at the Arizona State
University School of Nursing.

Dr. Shukla speaks regularly throughout the country on the topic of heart
arrhythmia, is recognized nationally by his peers on intervention, and is
consulted often on the use and development of defibrillators, pacemakers and
other devices to regulate the heart.

Founder of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute based in Mesa, Ariz., Dr. Shukla
also leads a nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing education and
awareness of heart arrhythmia and contributes defibrillators to schools and
other facilities within the community.

Dr. Shukla presently has a provisional patent application pending. He is
fluent in Spanish and Gujurati.