Patient education: Catheter ablation for the heart (The Basics)

What is catheter ablation? — Catheter ablation is a procedure that is used to treat certain conditions that cause the heart to beat too fast. It is sometimes called "radiofrequency catheter ablation," "cryothermal ablation," or "cold ablation." This procedure is done in the hospital.

How do normal heartbeats happen? — A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in one spot near the top of the heart. This electrical signal follows a path to spread across the heart. As it spreads, the signal causes the heart muscle to squeeze. Each time the heart squeezes ("beats"), blood is sent all over the body. Normally, the heart beats in a regular way 60 to 100 times a minute.

What can cause the heart to beat too fast? — The heart can beat too fast when:

●The electrical signal starts in the wrong part of the heart

●The electrical signal follows the wrong path as it spreads across the heart

People with heart problems as well as those with healthy hearts can have heartbeats that are too fast.

How does catheter ablation work? — Catheter ablation destroys the part of the heart that is creating or spreading abnormal electrical signals. After the procedure, the heart can beat normally again.

How do I get ready for the procedure? — Your doctor will tell you what to do to get ready for the procedure. For example, you might need to stop taking certain medicines.

What happens during the procedure? — When the procedure starts you will get medicines to make you sleepy. Then the doctor will insert a thin tube called a "catheter" into a large blood vessel in your leg or another part of your body (figure 1). Next they will guide the catheter into your heart. Using wires that are inside the catheter, the doctor will try to destroy the small parts of the heart causing the fast heartbeat. At the end of the procedure, the doctor removes the catheter and wires.

What happens after the procedure? — After the procedure, your doctor or nurse will tell you which medicines you should take. They will also tell you which activities you should avoid.

What are some downsides of the procedure? — Downsides of the procedure can include:

●Bleeding, bruising, or getting an infection in the area where the catheter was put in

●Damage to the heart from the wires

●Changes in the heartbeat – Some people who have changes in their heartbeat might need to have a pacemaker put in. A pacemaker is a device that can keep a person's heartbeat normal. It is put under the skin in the upper chest and has wires that connect to the heart.

●Blood clots that form and then travel to the lungs or brain

●In a small number of procedures, the procedure does not work.

Is catheter ablation the only treatment for a fast heartbeat? — No. Doctors can use other treatments for a fast heartbeat. These can include medicines, other procedures, or surgery.

More on this topic

Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (The Basics)

Patient education: Catheter ablation for abnormal heartbeats (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (Beyond the Basics)