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Cardiac ablation procedures

Contents of this page:

Alternative Names   

Catheter ablation; Radiofrequency catheter ablation

Definition    Return to top

Ablate means "to destroy." Cardiac ablation is a procedure that is used to destroy areas in your heart that may be causing your heart rhythm problems. During the procedure, small wires called electrodes are placed inside your heart to measure your heart’s electrical activity. These electrodes are also be used to destroy the bad areas of your heart.

Description    Return to top

Cardiac ablation procedures are done in a hospital laboratory by a specially trained staff. This includes cardiologists (heart doctors) trained in electrophysiology, technicians, and nurses. The setting is safe and controlled to make the risk for you as low as possible.

You will be given a mild sedative before the procedure to help you relax. Then, the skin on your neck, arm, or groin will be cleaned well and made numb with an anesthetic. Next, a surgeon will make a small cut into one of the blood vessels in this area. Then, a catheter (a small, flexible tube) will be inserted through this cut. The doctor uses live x-ray images to carefully guide the catheter up into your heart.

Once the catheter is in place, your doctor runs several flexible tubes that contain electrodes through it. These are placed in different small blood vessels in your heart. They are connected to monitors that tell what area in your heart muscle is causing problems with your heart rhythm.

One of the catheter lines sends electrical energy to the problem area to create a scar. The scarring causes the heart rhythm problem to stop.

Catheter ablation is a long procedure that can last 4 or more hours During the procedure your heart will be monitored closely. A nurse or doctor may ask you if you are having symptoms at different times during the procedure. Symptoms you may feel are:

Why the Procedure is Performed    Return to top

Cardiac ablation is used to treat certain heart rhythm problems that medicines are not controlling. These problems may be dangerous for you if they are not treated. Some problems are:

Risks    Return to top

Catheter ablation is generally safe. Talk with your doctor about these rare complications:

Before the Procedure    Return to top

Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the days before the surgery:

On the day of the surgery:

After the Procedure    Return to top

Pressure to reduce bleeding is put on the area where the catheters were inserted into your body. You will be kept in bed for at least 1 hour, and maybe up to 5 or 6 hours. Your heart rhythm will be monitored during this time.

Your doctor will decide whether you can go home on the same day or if you will need to stay in the hospital overnight to continue monitoring your heart.

For 2 or 3 days after your procedure, you may have these symptoms:

Your doctor may keep you on your medicines, or give you new ones, that help control your heart rhythm.

You will need someone to drive you home after your procedure.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Success rates are different for each type of catheter ablation and what type of heart rhythm problem is being treated.

References    Return to top

Calkins H, Brugada J, Packer DL, Cappato R, Chen SA, Crijns HJ, et al. (HRS/EHRA/ECAS expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: recommendations for personnel, policy, procedures and follow-up. A report of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Task Force on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. 2007:4(6): 816-61.

Miller JM, Zipes DP. Therapy for cardiac arrhythmias. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 33.

Update Date: 12/12/2008

Updated by: Larry A. Weinrauch MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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