Conditions Treated
Our Approach to Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive option to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) and certain other heart conditions. At Stanford, our arrhythmia team is leading the field in researching advanced methods for catheter ablation.
Our electrophysiologists (specialists in disorders of the heart’s electrical system) bring the latest advancements in catheter ablation to our patients through clinical trials. Our goal is to provide excellent care to manage your symptoms and restore healthy heart function. We are dedicated to patient-centered, compassionate care to help you enjoy a better quality of life.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR CATHETER ABLATION
- Leading expertise in the latest catheter ablation techniques, including cryoballoon ablation. Co-invented by our medical director, this procedure uses extreme cold to freeze arrhythmia-causing heart cells.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together doctors with years of experience in several heart specialties to tailor a care plan to your needs.
- Active partnership with Stanford’s cardiac surgeons to develop an advanced procedure for people with advanced AFib hybrid surgical-catheter ablation, with a national clinical trial currently underway.
To request an appointment with one of our arrhythmia specialists, call: 650-723-7111.
What Is Catheter Ablation?
Conditions Treated with Catheter Ablation
Stanford electrophysiologists use catheter ablation to treat people with several types of arrhythmia and certain structural heart diseases. We work with you to decide on the right therapy for your needs, based on your specific case.
Supraventricular arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Atrial flutter
- Atrial tachycardia
- Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
What To Expect
The heat energy for ablation is transmitted through the catheters. It heats or erases the cells that are believed to be causing the arrhythmia. Once these cells are damaged, they are no longer capable of conduction and therefore should be unable to produce arrhythmias.
Before
During
After
Before the Procedure
Patients prepare for an ablation in the same way they prepare for an EPS procedure. Patients undergo a series of tests, including a blood test and an electrocardiogram.
Please do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to the procedure.
The electrophysiologist or arrhythmia nurse will contact patients five days prior to the procedure to determine if any current medications need to be discontinued. The doctor will discuss the procedure and describe specific risks. After any questions are answered, an informed consent form must be signed prior to the procedure.
During the Procedure
Cather ablation is done in conjunction with an EPS and usually adds one to two hours to the procedure. During the electrophysiology procedure, we will reproduce the fast heart rhythm and attempt to identify the specific area of the heart that is initiating it.
Once the doctors locate the area, we ablate it by placing an electrode catheter into the area and sending heat or radiofrequency energy to the arrhythmia focus. We continue to apply this heat until the tissue is rendered unable to initiate a fast rhythm. After we ablate the area, we wait 30 minutes and then attempt to reproduce the fast heart rhythm again. If we are unable to produce a fast heart rhythm, we consider the ablation procedure successful.
After the Procedure
After the procedure, we remove the catheters and take the patient to a monitored unit for observation. In most cases, we observe the heart monitor overnight. If there are no concerns in the morning, patients can return home.
Patients may experience slight chest pain for a few days following the procedure. If patients experience such symptom, please notify us. Many patients experience skipped heart beats for several months following catheter ablation.
If you have a recurrence of your fast heart rhythm, patients should notify their regular doctor or contact us at 650-723-7111.
Before the Procedure
Patients prepare for an ablation in the same way they prepare for an EPS procedure. Patients undergo a series of tests, including a blood test and an electrocardiogram.
Please do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to the procedure.
The electrophysiologist or arrhythmia nurse will contact patients five days prior to the procedure to determine if any current medications need to be discontinued. The doctor will discuss the procedure and describe specific risks. After any questions are answered, an informed consent form must be signed prior to the procedure.
close Before
During the Procedure
Cather ablation is done in conjunction with an EPS and usually adds one to two hours to the procedure. During the electrophysiology procedure, we will reproduce the fast heart rhythm and attempt to identify the specific area of the heart that is initiating it.
Once the doctors locate the area, we ablate it by placing an electrode catheter into the area and sending heat or radiofrequency energy to the arrhythmia focus. We continue to apply this heat until the tissue is rendered unable to initiate a fast rhythm. After we ablate the area, we wait 30 minutes and then attempt to reproduce the fast heart rhythm again. If we are unable to produce a fast heart rhythm, we consider the ablation procedure successful.
close During
After the Procedure
After the procedure, we remove the catheters and take the patient to a monitored unit for observation. In most cases, we observe the heart monitor overnight. If there are no concerns in the morning, patients can return home.
Patients may experience slight chest pain for a few days following the procedure. If patients experience such symptom, please notify us. Many patients experience skipped heart beats for several months following catheter ablation.
If you have a recurrence of your fast heart rhythm, patients should notify their regular doctor or contact us at 650-723-7111.
close After
Our Clinics
The experienced electrophysiologists at Stanford offer the latest advancements in diagnosis and treatment for people with all kinds of arrhythmias. We care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—to relieve your symptoms and improve your health.
