Ablation

Basic Facts:

  • Cardiac ablations are procedures to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The arrhythmias that can be treated with ablation include: 

    • Atrial Fibrillation 

    • Atrial Flutter 

    • Atrial Tachycardia 

    • Supraventricular Tachycardia (incl. Wolff-Parkinson-White) 

    • Ventricular Tachycardia 

    • Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC’s) 

  • Ablation works by creating controlled scarring of areas in the heart that are causing an abnormal heart rhythm.  

  • Ablation is sometimes done through open-heart surgery, but it is usually done under sedation using catheters, making the procedure less invasive and shortening recovery times.  

Pre-Test Guidelines: 

Stop eating and drinking the night before the procedure. Patient’s provider will review what medications should and should not be taken before the procedure. 

Testing: 

This procedure is performed in a hospital by a doctor with specialty training in the electrical system of the heart, called an electrophysiologist (EP), along with a team of specialized cardiovascular nurses and technicians: 

  1. Under gentle sedation, the doctor inserts a flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or wrist area.  

  2. The catheter is guided inside heart, where a specialized tip delivers energy in the form of heat or extreme cold to create controlled areas of scar, deadening the electrical activity in the areas causing the abnormal heart rhythm. 

  3. When the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed, and pressure may be applied on the insertion site for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the puncture area to close and prevent bleeding. 

  4. Patient will be monitored for several hours afterwards, as the anesthesia wears off. 

  5. Most patients can go home later the same day, once the access site is stable. Others will need monitoring overnight.  

Post-Procedure Guidelines 

Virginia Heart Care Team will provide each patient with specific pre- and post-procedure instructions, including which medications to take or not. Other general guidelines include: 

  • If leaving the same day as the procedure, a patient needs to have someone else drive them home, as they were under sedation. 

  • No heavy lifting / pushing / pulling (over 10 lbs) for a few days after, to protect the access site.  

  • Avoid baths for a few days (showers are usually permitted within 24 hours). 

  • Sexual activity can usually be resumed within three to five days. 

  • Soreness around an access site is common afterwards, but it should not last more than one week.  

  • Follow-up office visit should be about one month after the procedure.  

  • A patient who has had an ablation does NOT need antibiotics prior to dental visits.