Cardiac Ablation
Cardiac ablation—also known as catheter ablation—is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It works by using radiofrequency or cryothermal energy to destroy small areas of heart tissue that are sending irregular electrical signals.
By targeting and scarring these specific areas, the abnormal pathways that cause arrhythmias are blocked, allowing the heart to restore its normal rhythm. Cardiac ablation may be recommended for patients when medications have not been effective, or as a first-line treatment for certain types of arrhythmias known to respond well—such as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.
What does it do?
In a healthy heart, electrical impulses travel through a precise pathway to ensure each heartbeat is well-timed and coordinated. In arrhythmia, disruptions in these pathways lead to abnormal rhythms.
Cardiac ablation helps correct this by:
- Interrupting faulty electrical signals
- Destroying the tissue responsible for arrhythmia
- Restoring a normal heart rhythm without causing damage to healthy heart muscle
It is commonly used to treat:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF)
- Atrial flutter
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Ventricular tachycardia
How does it work?
Cardiac ablation restores normal rhythm by targeting areas of the heart causing abnormal electrical activity. Using either heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation), the procedure creates controlled scarring, which:
- Disrupts the faulty electrical pathways
- Prevents the abnormal signals from spreading
- Re-establishes proper electrical conduction
This allows the heart to pump more efficiently and reduces or eliminates symptoms caused by arrhythmias.
Why is it performed?
Cardiac ablation may be recommended if:
- You have an arrhythmia that does not respond well to medication
- You experience symptoms such as palpitations, fainting, fatigue, or shortness of breath
- You are at increased risk of stroke or heart failure due to your arrhythmia
It is particularly effective for conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, SVT, and atrial flutter. In these cases, ablation offers a potentially curative option without the long-term use of medication.
The procedure
Cardiac ablation is usually performed under local anaesthesia and sedation, and typically takes 2 to 4 hours.
- A small sheath is inserted into a vein in the groin
- Electrode catheters are threaded through blood vessels to the heart
- X-rays and mapping technology help guide the catheters to the precise area
- Energy is delivered to destroy the abnormal tissue causing the arrhythmia
- Catheters and sheath are then removed
Recovery
After the procedure:
- You’ll be monitored in the recovery area for a few hours
- Most patients are discharged the same day or next day
- Normal activities can typically be resumed within a few days, though strenuous activity should be avoided for about a week
Your care team will provide you with detailed post-procedure instructions, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess your progress.