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Ablation
What is ablation?
This procedure, also known as catheter ablation, is minimally invasive. Other names for this procedure include cardiac, atrial or heart ablation. Ablate means to remove, burn or destroy. We intentionally create small scars on your heart during this procedure to interrupt the electrical signals causing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). This can restore your heart’s normal rhythm.
Types
We can perform a catheter ablation using heat (radiofrequency energy) or by freezing the tissue (cryoablation). Both are safe and effective procedures with equal success rates. While a catheter approach is more common, another option is surgical.
Surgery involves making little cuts to create scar tissue. We often choose this option if you already need a heart surgery, and we can perform both simultaneously (maze surgery). If we decide to perform it surgically instead of using a catheter, we may choose the mini maze. We can also combine the two (convergent procedure).
Who needs this procedure?
You may be suitable if your medication hasn’t been effective or caused significant side effects. We may also recommend this procedure if you have a high risk of complications due to arrhythmias.
We use this procedure to treat the following heart conditions:
Our specialist may perform additional tests to determine your suitability and learn more about how your heart condition affects you. These may include a blood test, CT or MRI scans and chest X-ray. We might recommend an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) as well.
How to prepare
You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a few days. The night before, you will need to stop eating and drinking. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and not wearing jewellery on the day.
We will use a local anaesthetic and sedation, or general anaesthetic, to make you comfortable and avoid pain during the procedure. We will discuss your preference with you. Before we start, let us know if you have new questions or want further clarification on what will happen.
How is it performed?
Techniques vary depending on the condition. The procedure itself usually takes around one to two and a half hours. We pass thin, floppy wires (catheters) to your heart via the vein in the leg (femoral vein). The femoral vein acts like a motorway between the two.
The catheters record your heart’s electrical activity and emit electrical impulses to identify the abnormal tissue causing your arrhythmias. We might use a dye to see this area easier on our X-ray.
Once we have found the abnormal tissue, we form small scars using radiofrequency energy, or cryogenically using a cryoballoon. Here, we inflate the balloon at the problem area to deliver freezing energy. This part may be slightly uncomfortable if you are awake for the procedure.
After this, we will remove the catheters. Catheter removal can cause some bleeding, and you may have a small bruise after. You’ll need to rest for a few hours before going home. Some people need to stay overnight, but this depends on the heart condition we’re treating and other factors. Our specialist will discuss how long you can expect to stay in advance.
Recovery
You may experience some side effects of the procedure over the next two to three months, such as palpitations and further arrhythmias. This is common, and we refer to this as the blanking period. After this time, we can determine whether the procedure was a success. Our specialist will discuss this with you further before you have the procedure, so you know what to expect.
Avoid driving for 48 hours, working for a few days, and strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting, for two weeks. Many factors can influence your recovery, so you must listen to your doctor’s personalised recommendations.
Talk to our specialist if you are concerned about your symptoms after the procedure. They can reassure your concerns or run tests to confirm there are no other problems that we need to address.
Our specialist may suggest some lifestyle changes to help you maintain good heart health. These can include eating a healthy diet with less salt, exercising more where possible, and managing stress levels.
Risks
Temporary side effects include tiredness and minor pain, bruising or bleeding where we’ve inserted the catheter. Ablation procedures are generally very safe, and complications are rare. However, there are some risks to consider.
Risks vary depending on the procedure and can include:
- Damaged blood vessels
- Bleeding around the heart
- Infection at the insertion site
- Requiring emergency surgery
- Bruising and bleeding in the leg
- Slow heart rate and needing a pacemaker
- A small risk of having a stroke due to blood clots or a heart attack
Benefits
As this procedure is minimally invasive, involving no surgery, patients usually recover quickly, walking within a few hours. It is a highly successful procedure with over an 80% success rate. There is a 95% success rate after a second, if another procedure is required.
For many people, ablation means being free of taking medications and heart rhythm problems. As a result, you should experience a better quality of life. In some cases, it can be a life-saving procedure.
To learn more, read our detailed patient guide: What is cardiac ablation? Purpose, procedure and recovery.
Book an appointment
Breathlessness can feel uncomfortable and unsettling, but we’re here to help put you at ease.
Our specialist will discuss your treatment in depth so you understand its purpose and how it will work. We are happy to answer any questions to ensure you feel comfortable with our treatment plan.
Call London Heart Clinic on 0203 303 0325 to book an appointment.
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What our patients say
After suffering from a heart condition for a number of years I was very happy to meet Dr Ahsan, from the first consultation where he believed there was a solution I have now completed the surgery and had my final consultation with him today…
I am very grateful to have Dr Syed Ahsan as my consultant. Dr Ahsan always greets you warmly on each visit despite his busy workload. Dr Ahsan explains everything clearly and helps you to understand even the most complex medical terms…