Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is one of the options we offer to our patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

During the procedure, small catheters are placed into the patient’s veins and arteries in the legs, arm or neck and then passed to the heart. High-frequency electrical impulses are used to stimulate the arrhythmia and then destroy the abnormal tissue causing it.

Prior to the ablation process, patients are required to take part in a comprehensive electrophysiologic study (EPS) in order to have their arrhythmia diagnosed and treated in one period of time.

During the procedure, patients lie on their back and are sedated. There is usually little pain associated with this option. Some patients feel discomfort with the anesthesia and catheter placement, or a warm sensation in the chest.

The EPS and the ablation together usually take four hours or less. Success rates vary, but are generally very high. And if no complications arise, the patient should be able to go home the next day and continue to their normal activity a few days after that.