Catheter Ablation

(Also called: cardiac catheter ablation, radio-frequency ablation)

Purpose

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive electrophysiology procedure used to treat arrhythmias that do not respond to medications. Catheter ablation uses radio-frequency (energy) waves or freezing (cryoablation) to destroy heart cells that may promote arrhythmia or disrupt the electrical pathway.

The procedure is performed in the Electrophysiology Laboratory of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Description

1. Tests often done in the hospital before the procedure include echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and blood tests.
2. The doctor describes the details of the procedure and asks the patient to provide informed consent. This consent is required before the procedure can be performed.
3. The patient is taken to the Electrophysiology Laboratory.
4. The patient may be awake during the procedure. Pain medication and sedatives are given intravenously (by vein) as needed.
5. Thin, flexible tubes (catheters) containing wires and electrodes are inserted into an artery and/or vein located in the groin area (or the arm) and guided to the heart.
6. The electrodes collect information on electrical signals in the heart. This information is used to determine where the abnormal pathways are located.
7. Radio-frequency energy or extreme cold is applied to disconnect or interrupt the abnormal pathways.
8. The catheters are removed from the body.
9. The patient must remain on bed rest for four to six hours after the procedure. Pain medications and other drugs are given as needed.
10. The patient will typically go home on the same day as the procedure.

See the Electrophysiology Patient Guide for more detailed information on the catheterization procedure.

Patient Instructions

Patients should follow the information in the Electrophysiology Patient Guide regarding items to bring to the hospital.

Specific instructions about medications are given at the time the procedure is scheduled.

Before coming into the hospital, patients should make arrangements for a ride home and for someone to stay with them overnight.

Patients should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure.