Basic Facts:

  • Cardiac ablations are procedures to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The arrhythmias that can be treated with ablation include: 

    • Atrial Fibrillation 

    • Atrial Flutter 

    • Atrial Tachycardia 

    • Supraventricular Tachycardia (incl. Wolff-Parkinson-White) 

    • Ventricular Tachycardia 

    • Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC’s) 

  • Ablation works by creating controlled scarring of areas in the heart that are causing an abnormal heart rhythm.  

  • Ablation is sometimes done through open-heart surgery, but it is usually done under sedation using catheters, making the procedure less invasive and shortening recovery times.