38 Irrawaddy Road #08-51, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
38 Irrawaddy Road #08-51, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
Radiofrequency ablation, also known as cardiac ablation, is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for heart arrhythmias. It uses radiofrequency energy to burn or “ablate” problematic heart tissue that may be causing abnormal cardiac rhythms.
It is recommended for patients who are on medication for arrhythmia without improvement, encounter side effects from medication, or are at high risk for complications arising from arrhythmias.
During Radiofrequency ablation, your cardiologist will insert a catheter into your heart through a blood vessel in your wrist or groin.
An Electrophysiology Study will then be conducted using electrical impulses sent through the catheter. This allows your cardiologist to identify the specific tissues which are causing abnormal rhythms. Once located, the cardiologist will then insert an ablation catheter which uses radiofrequency energy to destroy heart tissue responsible for causing the arrhythmias.
Radiofrequency ablation may take several hours to complete and the time taken varies a lot depending on the type and severity of arrhythmia presented. Success rates are generally high and most patients enjoy a better quality of life after undergoing the procedure.
Post-op recovery could take a few hours and patients will be monitored closely. You should be allowed to go home the next day. You may feel a little sore but it should not last more than a few days , and you should be able to resume normal activities after about a week. .
Risks for Radiofrequency ablation are small and include bleeding or infection at catheter insertion site, damage to blood vessels, heart valve damage, new or increased arrhythmias, blood clots, or stroke.
An electrophysiology study is not painful although you may experience palpitation or discomfort in your chest as your heartbeat speeds up and slows down. The study can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to 6 hours depending on the complexity of the condition.
Always check with your cardiologist before and after a radiofrequency ablation procedure about your medication regime. In general it will depend on the type of arrhythmia you have and what medications have already been prescribed.
The success rates of radiofrequency ablation depends on the condition it is used to treat and can be as high as 95%. Many people do not experience a recurrence in arrhythmia after a successful ablation.