Risks

Cardiac ablation carries a risk of complications, including:

• Bleeding or infection at the site where your catheter was inserted
• Damage to your blood vessels where the catheter may have scraped as it traveled to your heart
• Puncture of your heart
• Damage to your heart valves
• Damage to your heart's electrical system, which could worsen your arrhythmia and require a pacemaker to correct
• Blood clots in your legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
• Stroke or heart attack
• Narrowing of the veins that carry blood between your lungs and heart (pulmonary vein stenosis)
• Damage to your kidneys from dye used during the procedure
• Death in rare cases

Discuss the risks and benefits of cardiac ablation with your doctor to understand if this procedure is right for you.

How you prepare

Your doctor will evaluate you and may order several tests to evaluate your heart condition. Your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of cardiac ablation.

You'll need to stop eating and drinking the night before your procedure. If you take any medications, ask your doctor if you should continue taking them before your procedure.

Your doctor will let you know if you need to follow any other special instructions before or after your procedure. In some cases, you'll be instructed to stop taking medications to treat a heart arrhythmia several days before your procedure.

If you have an implanted heart device, such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, talk to your doctor to see if you need to take any special precautions.

Overview

Ventricular tachycardia ablation, also called VT ablation, uses cold or heat energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars block faulty signals that cause a rapid, erratic heartbeat.

VT ablation is a treatment for a type of irregular heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the heart's signals make the lower heart chambers beat too quickly. The lower heart chambers are called the ventricles. The goal of VT ablation is to restore a regular heart rhythm.

Why it's done

This type of cardiac ablation may be done if you have a type of fast, erratic heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia. If you have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), VT ablation may reduce the number of shocks you receive from the device.

VT ablation isn't recommended for all types of ventricular tachycardia. Your care team may suggest medicines and other procedures first.

Discuss your treatment options with a healthcare professional. Together you can talk about the pros and cons of VT ablation.

What you can expect

Ventricular tachycardia ablation is done in the hospital. Before the procedure, you usually get a medicine called a sedative that helps you relax.

The amount of sedation needed for the procedure depends on the specific type of irregular heartbeat and your overall health. You may be fully awake or lightly sedated. Some people get a combination of medicines, called general anesthesia, to put them in a sleep-like state.

The doctor inserts a long flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin area. The catheter is gently guided to the heart.

Sensors on the tip of the catheter send electrical signals and record the heart's electricity. Your care team uses this information to determine the best place to apply the VT ablation treatment.

One of the following ablation techniques is used to create small scars in the heart and block irregular heart rhythms.

• Heat, known as radiofrequency energy.
• Extreme cold, known as cryoablation.

VT ablation may be done from inside or outside the heart. Sometimes, treatment is done at both locations.

• Inside the heart. If the irregular heartbeat is coming from inside the heart, the doctor guides the catheter to this area. Heat or cold energy is applied to the target area. The energy damages the tissue and causes scarring. This helps block the electrical signals that cause ventricular tachycardia.
• Outside the heart, also called epicardial ablation. If the irregular heartbeat starts in tissue outside the heart, the doctor places a needle through the skin on the chest and into the lining of the fluid-filled sack around the heart. A hollow tube called a sheath is then inserted. Flexible tubes called catheters go through the sheath to access the outside surface of the heart. Heat or cold energy can be used during epicardial ablation.

VT ablation takes about 3 to 6 hours. Afterward, you go to a recovery area where a care team closely watches you. You may stay overnight in the hospital.

Results

Most people see improvements in their quality of life after VT ablation. You may feel less tired or experience fewer ICD shocks. However, sometimes the irregular heart rhythm returns. You may need a repeat procedure, or you and your care team might discuss other treatments.