What is catheter ablation for heart rhythm problems?
Catheter ablation is a procedure that treats heart rhythm problems. These problems include atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia.
Your heart should have a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system. Sometimes that system misfires. This causes a heartbeat that is too fast and isn't steady.
Catheter ablation is a way to get into your heart and fix the problem. Ablation is not surgery.
Why is catheter ablation for a fast heart rate done?
Catheter ablation is used for people who have persistent or recurrent fast heart rates.
Ablation might be done to treat:
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.
- Ventricular tachycardia.
Catheter ablation might be done to prevent episodes, relieve symptoms, or prevent future problems. You can decide with your doctor if the benefits of ablation outweigh the possible risks of the procedure.
How is catheter ablation for heart rhythm problems done?
Your doctor inserts thin tubes called catheters into a blood vessel in your groin, arm, or neck. Then your doctor feeds them into the heart. Wires in the catheters help the doctor find the problem areas. Then the doctor uses the wires to send energy to destroy the tiny areas of heart tissue that are causing the problems.
It may seem like a bad idea to destroy parts of your heart on purpose. But the areas that are destroyed are very tiny. They should not affect your heart's ability to do its job.
You may be awake during the procedure. Or you may be asleep. The doctor will give you medicines to help you feel relaxed and to numb the areas where the catheters go in.
After an electrophysiology (EP) study or catheter ablation: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
- You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in your blood vessel.
- You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the catheter site.
- Pus draining from the catheter site.
- A fever.
- Your leg, arm, or hand is painful, looks blue, or feels cold, numb, or tingly.
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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