Radiofrequency Ablation for Arrhythmia

Sometimes, your heart arrhythmia diagnosis may call for a more intensive treatment when medication and other options aren’t successful or lifelong medication is not recommended. In such cases, Dr Karthigesan may suggest radiofrequency catheter ablation to improve your condition.

What is radiofrequency catheter ablation all about? This is a minimally invasive treatment option where a small keyhole is made to guide a small catheter or tube into your heart. Radiofrequency energy is passed through this catheter to destroy selected heart tissue areas.

Radiofrequency used for this procedure is a moderately intense, high-frequency electric current that causes a small area of the heart to become hot, causing it to be ablated or cauterised. For years, surgeons have relied on RF energy to cut body tissues and cauterise bleeding during surgeries.

The RF used to cure arrhythmias are particularly low in frequency and is completely safe for the heart. It will not cause any long-term complications.

Fortunately, with Dr Karthigesan as your cardiologist, you can rest assured that your RF ablation procedure will encounter no such problems. As a Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS), Dr Karthigesan has performed over 3000 successful RF procedures. Under his care, you will get the best guidance and treatment.

• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia [PSVT]
• Atrial flutter
• Atrial fibrillation
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Ectopic or missed beats

Dr Karthigesan may recommend several tests to understand your arrhythmia better before performing a radiofrequency catheter ablation. He may recommend standard blood tests, an ECG (electrocardiogram), and an echocardiogram recording. You may also be asked to follow these instructions:

• Stick to the recommended diet at least 24 hours prior to your procedure.
• Avoid eating or drinking for 6-8 hours before the procedure.
• Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
• Avoid taking your medications before the procedure when asked to.
• Continue with the prescribed medications until the recommended time.

• Before the procedure begins, Dr Karthigesan will administer local anaesthesia in your groin. This way, you will not feel any pain when inserting the catheter since the area will be desensitised.
• If necessary, a mild sedative will be administered through an intravenous line(IV).
• Once the sedative takes effect, Dr Karthigesan will commence the EP study procedure by making a small prick in the groin region. He will then access your heart by inserting three or four catheters into your blood vessels. Sometimes, these catheters may be inserted through your neck or shoulder blood vessels.
• The doctor will insert a straw-sized tube or a sheath into your blood vessel and guide the catheter through the sheath. A video screen will be used to follow the catheter position. In this stage, you may feel a bit of pressure in your groin, but you will not feel any discomfort.
• Several more electrode catheters or thin wire tubes will be fed through the sheath into your heart.
• After the EP study, electrical impulses will be sent through one of the electrode catheters to locate and activate the damaged tissue causing the arrhythmias. Other catheters will be used to locate similar sites.
• Once the sites are located, the RF ablation catheter will be placed exactly where the abnormal cells are located and a very mild radiofrequency energy will be sent to the tissue. These painless impulses destroy the abnormal muscle tissue causing your rapid heartbeats.
• The entire procedure may last for two hours or less. Depending on your recovery from the procedure, you will be allowed to return home or be asked you to stay overnight.