Cardiac ablation is a treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.

Ablation can also be used to disconnect the electrical pathway between the upper chambers and lower chambers of the heart. The type of ablation performed depends upon the type of arrhythmia.

How does it work?

During ablation, a doctor inserts a catheter into the heart. A machine delivers energy through the catheter to tiny areas of the heart muscle that cause the abnormal heart rhythm, “disconnecting” the pathway of the abnormal rhythm.

During the procedure:

• Catheters are threaded to the heart via the femoral vein, and radiofrequency energy is delivered to the precise site of the electrical pathway that is causing the arrhythmia.
• If an arrhythmia occurs during the procedure, the patient may be asked to describe the symptoms they feel.
• The doctor uses the catheters to locate the area or areas where the arrhythmia is originating. Once the area is located, energy is applied through the catheter to stop the abnormal impulses.
• Once the ablation is complete, the electrophysiologist uses monitoring devices to observe the electrical signals in the heart to ensure that the abnormal rhythm was corrected.

What can I expect after treatment?

The type of cardiac ablation performed and individual variables affect the success rate of this procedure. Please talk to a Deborah Specialty Physician about what outcome to expect.