What is cardiac ablation?
Cardiac ablation, a common atrial fibrillation treatment, uses heat, extreme cold (cryoballoon) or a laser to create scar tissue that disrupts the abnormal electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats.
The types of catheter ablation include:
- Radiofrequency ablation uses an oscillating electrical current to create heat, which scars targeted heart tissue to stop it from producing faulty electrical signals.
- Cryoablation uses extreme cold to create scarring.
- Laser ablation uses a laser to scar the heart tissue.
Types of cardiac ablation
Cardiologists who subspecialize in electrophysiology, such as electrophysiologists and cardiac surgeons, perform three types of cardiac ablation, from minimally invasive procedures to open surgery.
Conditions treated with cardiac ablation
In addition to AFib, your cardiologist may recommend catheter ablation to treat heart arrhythmias, including:
- Atrial flutter: An abnormally fast heart rhythm similar to atrial fibrillation
- Supraventricular tachycardia: A rapid heart rate due to abnormal signals in the heart’s upper chambers
Benefits of cardiac ablation
If medication isn’t effectively addressing your AFib, cardiac ablation can provide an alternative solution to help your heart beat correctly and support your overall health. With catheter ablation, you have access to a treatment that doesn’t require a large incision and has a faster recovery time than open surgery.
What to expect from cardiac ablation
With both a catheter and surgical ablation, it’s important to follow your physician’s pre-procedure instructions. For example, you may need to stop taking certain medications and avoid eating or drinking several hours before your procedure.
On the day of the procedure, ensure a friend or family member can drive you to and from the hospital. You’ll receive general anesthesia during the procedure, which may take several hours to wear off. After a catheter ablation, you may go home the same day or spend one night in the hospital. You’ll likely need to spend several days in the hospital following surgical ablation.
When you return home, follow your physician’s instructions for recovery. These may include taking a blood thinner to protect against blood clots. Report any side effects or arrhythmia symptoms to your physician.
Other atrial fibrillation treatment options
Atrial fibrillation treatment often starts with making healthy lifestyle changes and taking medications. However, a procedure or surgery may make sense if those measures aren’t successful.
Cardiac ablation can successfully treat and reduce many types of irregular heartbeats, but it’s not right for everyone. Your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon may recommend one of the following treatments instead of ablation: