Cardiac ablation is a procedure that scars tissue in your heart to block irregular electrical signals. It is used to treat heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). Long flexible tubes (catheters) are threaded through blood vessels to the heart.
Cardiac ablation is a procedure that scars tissue in your heart to block irregular electrical signals. It is used to treat heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). Long flexible tubes (catheters) are threaded through blood vessels to the heart.
For ablation, a doctor puts catheters (thin hollow tubes) into a blood vessel in the groin and threads it up to the heart giving access to the inside of the heart. The doctor then uses the catheters to scar a small area of the heart by making small burns or small freezes.
In general, cardiac (heart) catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure and risks and complications are rare. Catheter ablation may require an overnight stay in the hospital though most patients can return home the same day as the procedure.
Recovery from heart ablation surgery typically takes about 1 week. Discomfort or soreness in the area where the catheter was inserted is normal, and you should be able to resume normal activities within a few days. However, you should avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous workouts for at least 1-2 weeks.
Catheter ablation is a safe, effective treatment for AFib and certain other arrhythmias. Although rare, the risks of these procedures include: Bleeding, infection, and/or pain where the catheter was inserted. Blood clots (rare), which can travel to the lungs or brain and cause stroke.