Ablation Specialist

What is cardiac ablation?

Cardiac ablation is a surgical procedure that destroys specific tissue in your heart which is disrupting your normal heart rhythm. This treatment stops abnormal electrical signals which are causing an irregular rhythm.

You may need a cardiac ablation if you have severe heart rhythm issues that aren’t relieved with medications.

When would my doctor consider cardiac ablation?

Your provider at Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., may recommend a cardiac ablation if you have a certain type of arrhythmia or if you have a high risk for cardiac arrest.

Ablation procedures may also be useful for patients who can’t tolerate the medications that are used to treat an arrhythmia.

What can I expect during a cardiac ablation?

To keep you comfortable during your ablation procedure, you’ll receive intravenous (IV) anesthesia. This means you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home.

Your cardiologist inserts a slender needle into your groin or neck. Then catheters are guided through a special sheath to several places in your heart.

In some cases, the injection of a special dye is used to help your doctor see your heart and blood vessels. The team uses a special X-ray technology to follow the dye through your blood vessels to determine where scar tissue lies.

Using the same catheters, your doctor delivers pulses of energy to destroy the problematic tissue or create a scar that disrupts the signals causing your arrhythmia.

How long does it take to recover from a cardiac ablation?

Many people can go home and rest on the same day as their cardiac ablation procedure. It’s normal to experience soreness in the surgical area for up to a week as your skin heals.

While many ablation procedures successfully treat an arrhythmia, while some require another ablation down the line if the arrhythmia returns. You may need to take medications to prevent this from happening.

Your Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., doctor can also recommend lifestyle and dietary changes to protect your heart health. These changes may include:

• Quitting smoking
• Reducing stress
• Adopting a low-salt diet
• Limiting alcohol consumption

You can also reduce your risk of high blood pressure and arrhythmias by losing excess weight and staying active.

To find out if a cardiac ablation is right for you, schedule a consultation with the cardiologists at Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., by phone or using the online booking tool.