Catheter ablation is a procedure used to selectively destroy areas of the heart that are causing a heart rhythm problem.
Thin, flexible tubes called catheters are inserted into a vein, typically in the groin or neck. They are threaded up through the vein and into the heart. There is an electrode at the tip of each catheter. The electrode sends out radio waves that create heat. This heat destroys the heart tissue that causes the fast heart rate without damaging the rest of the heart. Another option is to use freezing cold to destroy the heart tissue.
Catheter ablation is done in a hospital where the person can be carefully monitored. The procedure is done with an electrophysiology (EP) study, which can identify specific areas of heart tissue where the fast heart rate may start or where abnormal electrical pathways are located inside or outside the atrioventricular (AV) node. This allows doctors to pinpoint exactly what tiny area of heart muscle to destroy.
A local anesthetic is used at the site where the catheter is inserted. The person may be awake during the procedure but may be sedated or asleep.
What To Expect
You may stay in the hospital overnight, or you may be able to go home the same day. You may have swelling, bruising, or a small lump around the site where the catheters went into your body. You can do light activities at home. Don't do anything strenuous until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for several days.
Why It Is Done
Catheter ablation is used for people who have persistent or recurrent fast heart rates.
Ablation might be done to treat:
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.
- Ventricular tachycardia.
Catheter ablation might be done to prevent episodes, relieve symptoms, or prevent future problems. You can decide with your doctor if the benefits of ablation outweigh the possible risks of the procedure.
How Well It Works
Catheter ablation can eliminate atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia (AVNRT), a type of supraventricular tachycardia, in almost all cases.
This procedure can successfully eliminate Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) most of the time. There is a small risk of the arrhythmia recurring even after successful ablation of WPW. But a second session of catheter ablation is usually successful.
For ventricular tachycardia, catheter ablation might make the arrhythmia happen less often or stop the arrhythmia from happening again.
Risks
Problems during and after catheter ablation are not common. But the procedure has some risks. They include:
- Bleeding.
- Blood vessel problems from the catheter.
- Cardiac tamponade.
- Electrical system damage in the heart so a pacemaker is needed.
- Heart attack.
- Heart valve damage.
- Pericarditis.
- Stroke.
- Death. This is rare, happening in fewer than 1 out of 100 people.
Some risks are more likely with certain types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Your doctor can help you know your risk. You will have to decide whether the possible benefits of ablation outweigh these risks. Your doctor can help you decide.
Credits
Current as of: March 22, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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