Glossary of Terms

Pulmonary Vein Ablation / Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation (PVAI)
Pulmonary vein ablation, also known as pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI), is a surgical procedure to cure atrial fibrillation and restore heart rhythm to normal. During PVAI, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the hearts atrium by way of a large vein or artery in the groin. The catheters tip has an electrode which sends high-frequency energy to specific veins in the atrium that are causing the firing of irregular impulses (atrial fibrillation). The high-frequency energy scars the veins and prevents electrical signals to travel through, thereby restoring normal heart rhythm. The procedure is called ICE-guided PVAI when an intra cardiac echocardiogram (ICE) is used to guide the catheter.

Related terms: Atrial Fibrillation, SA Node, AV Node, Natural Pacemaker