Cardiac Ablation

Cardiac ablation is a procedure used to correct heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).

In this procedure, long, flexible tubes called catheters are inserted into a vein in your groin and threaded to your heart. These catheters have electrodes to help the surgeon identify abnormal tissue. The tissue causing the abnormal heart rhythm is then destroyed and scarred with the electrodes.

Ablation is an option when other treatments have not worked. Usually ablation is done for people who:

• Have tried medications without success
• Have had serious side effects from medications
• Have arrhythmias known to respond well to ablation, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• Have a high risk of complications resulting from an arrhythmia