Intraoperative Mapping

This procedure is used to locate an arrhythmia’s point of origin, which is often found near a previously damaged area of the heart. Performed only during an already scheduled open-heart surgery, intraoperative mapping uses a series of metal detectors connected to a computer to create “electronic maps” of the heart, which, in turn, help to localize the problem area. Once the exact location is determined, the arrhythmia can be cured by destruction of the problem area.

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