Cardiac Ablation

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 30, 2025.

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What do I need to know about cardiac ablation?

A cardiac ablation is a procedure to treat an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. Your heart rhythm is controlled by electrical pathways. During cardiac ablation, energy is sent to the area of your heart that has an electrical problem. The energy causes a tiny area of the heart muscle to scar. This stops the electrical problem and allows your heart to beat regularly.

How do I get ready for cardiac ablation?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. Your provider may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your procedure. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
• Tell your provider about all medicines you currently take. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. Your provider will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of the procedure.
• Tell your provider about any allergies you have, including to anesthesia or medicines. You may need to take blood thinner medicine to prevent blood clots.
• You may need blood and urine tests before your procedure. These tests show how well your kidneys are functioning and your blood is clotting. You may also need a chest x-ray, EKG, or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). These tests will check your heart function and help your provider plan your procedure.

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What will happen during cardiac ablation?

• You will be given local anesthesia to numb the procedure area. With local anesthesia, you may still feel pressure or pushing, but you should not feel any pain.
• One or more catheters will be put into a blood vessel in your groin or neck. X-rays will be taken to help your healthcare provider guide the catheter through your blood vessels to your heart. You may also have an electrophysiology (EP) study. This is a test used to map the electrical pathways in your heart that control your heart rhythm. It helps your provider find the exact spot where the ablation needs to be done.
• After the catheter is placed, small amounts of energy will be sent to the tip of the catheter. The energy may use heat, extreme cold, radiofrequency waves, or electrical pulses. This will form a small scar line to prevent extra heartbeats.
• When the procedure is done, the catheters will be removed, but the sheaths (outer tubes) may be left in until the blood thinner has worn off.

What should I expect after cardiac ablation?

• You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. They will check the catheter insertion site regularly for bleeding. You will also have EKG monitoring done to check your heart rate and rhythm. You may need to lie flat and keep your leg straight for several hours after the procedure. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
• You may be able to go home when providers see you are okay. You may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

What are the risks of cardiac ablation?

The catheter may cause bleeding around your heart, or damage your esophagus, stomach, or nerves. The veins that carry blood from your lungs to your heart could become narrowed. You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. You may develop a life-threatening blood clot. Even with treatment, your heart rhythm problem may come back, or you may need another procedure.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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