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Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for the Heart

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is radiofrequency catheter ablation? " пїЅ Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a procedure that is used to treat certain conditions that cause the heart to beat too fast. This procedure is done in the hospital. пїЅ пїЅ

How do normal heartbeats happen? " пїЅ A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in 1 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 " пїЅ), blood is sent all over the body. Normally, the heart beats in a regular way 60 to 80 times a minute. пїЅ пїЅ

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

  • 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. пїЅ пїЅ

How does radiofrequency catheter ablation work? " пїЅ Radiofrequency 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. пїЅ пїЅ

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

What happens during the procedure? " пїЅ When the procedure starts you will get medicines to make you sleepy. Then the doctor will insert a thin tube called a "catheter " пїЅ into a large blood vessel in your leg or another part of your body. Next he or she will guide the catheter into your heart. Using wires that are inside the catheter, the doctor will apply a special type of energy to the parts of the heart causing the fast heartbeat. This destroys that tissue, so that it can no longer affect the heartbeat. At the end of the procedure, the doctor removes the catheter and wires. пїЅ пїЅ

What happens after the procedure? " пїЅ After the procedure, your doctor or nurse will tell you which medicines you should take. He or she will also tell you which activities you should avoid. пїЅ пїЅ

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

  • 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 " пїЅ 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 persons heartbeat normal. It is put under the skin in the upper chest and has wires that connect to the heart.
  • Blood clots that form in a vein and then travel to the lungs or brain

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

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15668 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

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пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ