Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat heart rhythm disorders called arrhythmias. In arrhythmia, the heart beats too quickly, too slowly or irregularly.
Not all arrhythmias need medical treatment, but some do. Arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, occur when areas in the heart don't conduct electrical impulses the way they should. Destroying (ablating) small spots of tissue in these problem areas can help restore a normal heart rhythm. Your doctor may recommend ablation for other arrhythmias, such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), ventricular tachycardia or atrial flutter.
Ablation for AFib or other arrhythmias is a minimally invasive procedure. A heart doctor called an electrophysiologist performs the procedure. The doctor uses narrow, flexible tubes called catheters to reach the interior of the heart by guiding them through blood vessels. Once the catheters are in position, your doctor can find and treat the arrhythmia.
BayCare experts are skilled in using the latest catheter ablation methods and tools. We have access to dual-energy catheters that can transmit both heat and electricity. Your doctor will recommend the approach that's best for you. Options include:
Pulsed field ablation was FDA-approved in 2024 and has quickly become the preferred energy source among electrophysiologists. PFA targets specific heart cells and avoids damaging tissues and organs surrounding the heart, making it safer and more efficient than RFA or cryoablation.
Your BayCare electrophysiologist or cardiologist will explain the arrhythmia and your treatment plan. They'll answer all your questions so that you're prepared for your procedure. Even though the procedure itself doesn't take too long, you should plan to spend most of the day at the hospital.
Along with taking your medical and family history, your doctor may order an ultrasound of the heart, cardiac CT scan or both before you come in for the procedure. You may have to stop taking certain medications before having cardiac ablation. You may also need to stop eating and drinking the night before the procedure. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions.
On the day of the procedure, you'll have a transesophageal echocardiogram, or TEE, which uses sound waves to check for blood clots inside the heart. Our team will help you feel comfortable and informed through each step. You'll receive general anesthesia or sedation throughout the procedure.
At BayCare, cardiac ablation is performed in our hospital's electrophysiology lab. The procedure typically takes about 60 to 120 minutes.
First, your doctor numbs the area where they’ll make a small opening in the skin to access a blood vessel (either a vein or an artery). They insert a small tube called a sheath into the blood vessel. Most of the time, the catheters are placed through vessels in the groin, but a vessel in the neck can also be used. The doctor then threads the electrode catheters (thin tubes with wires) through the sheath and guides them to the heart.
When the catheters are in place, the doctor sends electrical impulses through them to make the arrhythmia happen. The goal is to map the areas causing the arrythmia. Once the doctor detects where the abnormal heart rhythm is occurring, they use an energy source to damage the affected tissue and create scars in those areas. The scarring blocks abnormal heart rhythms. At BayCare, our electrophysiologists typically use PFA for AFib ablation, but they may use RFA or cryoablation if needed.
The doctor then withdraws the catheters and tubes and closes the incision using special techniques to shorten your recovery time.
You're moved to a recovery unit where nurses will monitor you for several hours. Most patients go home the same day as the procedure. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions to follow. For the first week, you may be asked not to drive, bathe or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.
Arrhythmia symptoms may persist for a few days or weeks after an ablation but should improve over time. Your doctor may suggest wearing a device such as a temporary patch or digital smartwatch to monitor your heart rhythm for the first 30 days. You'll have routine follow-up visits with the electrophysiologist to monitor your progress.
If you have concerns, call your doctor. However, if you have any bleeding or heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately.
BayCare’s Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation Center provides personalized care plans, whether you just received an AFib diagnosis or you've lived with the condition for years.
If your primary care doctor diagnoses an arrhythmia, we can help you understand the condition and your treatment options. Should you need an ablation procedure, you can schedule an appointment directly with an electrophysiologist without first seeing a cardiologist.
The Center provides:
Ablation corrects arrhythmia rather than just treating the symptoms. While ablation isn't a cure for atrial fibrillation (AFib), it can help you feel better. For some conditions like supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and atrial flutter, ablation can even be a cure. Relief from a racing or fluttering heart can reduce your stress level and make it easier to stay active and enjoy your life.
In addition, treatments like ablation can safeguard your health. Untreated AFib can worsen and increase the risk of blood clots that could cause a stroke. If you’ve had AFib for a long time, you're more prone to other problems such as heart failure and dementia.
Because AFib and other arrhythmias are on the rise, new technologies are evolving quickly to help treat them. BayCare cardiologists, heart surgeons and electrophysiologists are at the forefront of these advancements, ready to put them to work for you.
For a referral to an arrhythmia specialist, call (855) 233-0888, or complete the form below.
