Cardiac Ablation
Wellstar electrophysiologists offer cardiac ablation procedures to return an irregular heartbeat—or arrhythmia—to normal.
Hot & Cold Therapy Restores Regular Heartbeats
Cardiac ablation is a highly successful treatment option for people with arrhythmia. During an ablation, an electrophysiologist applies radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoablation (cold) directly to the source of the arrhythmia to restore a regular heartbeat.
Cardiac ablation treatments available at Wellstar include:
Sometimes, a hybrid procedure called the convergent procedure is recommended. Performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist together, the minimally invasive procedure is for patients who have not responded to other treatments. The cardiac surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and delivers extreme heat radiofrequency currents through a scope to destroy abnormal tissue on the outside of the heart. The electrophysiologist inserts a catheter through the thigh and ablates the heart tissue from the inside. The success rate of the convergent procedure is often higher than with surgery or catheter ablation alone.
Patients are sedated although not necessarily put fully under. Catheters are inserted through a vein or artery in the neck or thigh. When the catheter reaches the heart, tiny sensors on the tips help complete an EP study , which helps the electrophysiologist pinpoint the exact location to target. From there, hot or cold energy is aimed at the area to create tiny scars along the inside of the heart, blocking the electrical signals that are causing the irregular heartbeat.
Learn more about Wellstar heart rhythm care and find an electrophysiologist near you.
Cardiac ablation treatments available at Wellstar include:
- Atrial fibrillation ablation
- Atrial flutter ablation
- AV node ablation
- HIS bundle ablation
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) ablation
- Ventricular tachycardia ablation
Why you may need cardiac ablation
Your electrophysiologist may recommend ablation if:- Other arrhythmia medications weren’t successful or led to serious side effects
- You have conditions such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or supraventricular tachycardia, which respond well to ablation
- You are at high risk of additional complications related to arrhythmia, such as cardiac arrest
Sometimes, a hybrid procedure called the convergent procedure is recommended. Performed by a cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist together, the minimally invasive procedure is for patients who have not responded to other treatments. The cardiac surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and delivers extreme heat radiofrequency currents through a scope to destroy abnormal tissue on the outside of the heart. The electrophysiologist inserts a catheter through the thigh and ablates the heart tissue from the inside. The success rate of the convergent procedure is often higher than with surgery or catheter ablation alone.
What happens during ablation
Performed in a specialized electrophysiology lab by a heart rhythm specialist, the full procedure can take anywhere from three to six hours.Patients are sedated although not necessarily put fully under. Catheters are inserted through a vein or artery in the neck or thigh. When the catheter reaches the heart, tiny sensors on the tips help complete an EP study , which helps the electrophysiologist pinpoint the exact location to target. From there, hot or cold energy is aimed at the area to create tiny scars along the inside of the heart, blocking the electrical signals that are causing the irregular heartbeat.
Learn more about Wellstar heart rhythm care and find an electrophysiologist near you.
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