Cardiac Ablation Procedures

Ablation creates small scars in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals, stopping irregular rhythms.

The Procedure Timeline

Duration: 4 hours or more | Team: Cardiologists, nurses, and technicians.

  1. Preparation: You receive a sedative to relax. The skin (neck, arm, or groin) is numbed.
  2. Insertion: A catheter (flexible tube) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart using live X-ray images.
  3. Mapping: Electrodes find the exact spot causing the rhythm problem.
  4. Ablation: Energy (heat or cold) is sent to that spot to create a scar and stop the irregular signal.
What you might feel during the procedure:
  • A brief burning sensation when medicines are injected.
  • A faster or stronger heartbeat.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Burning when the electrical energy is applied.

Preparation & Recovery

Before the Procedure

  • Meds: Tell your doctor about all medicines, especially blood thinners.
  • Illness: Report colds, flu, or fever immediately.
  • Fasting: No food or drink after midnight.
  • Smoking: Stop smoking before the procedure.

After the Procedure

  • Immediate: You must lie flat for 1–6 hours to prevent bleeding.
  • Going Home: You need a driver. You might stay overnight or go home the same day.
  • First 2-3 Days: Fatigue, chest aches, or skipped heartbeats are common.

Why is it performed?

Ablation treats rhythm problems that medication cannot control, such as:

  • Atrial fibrillation / Atrial flutter
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Risks

While generally safe, rare risks include:

  • Bleeding / Blood clots
  • Damage to arteries or valves
  • Heart attack
  • Fluid around the heart
  • Nerve damage