What Is Heart Ablation?

Heart ablation targets and removes tissue that causes an irregular heart rhythm. In this outpatient procedure, specialists insert a catheter (thin tube) into the leg.

The catheter passes through a vein leading to the heart to locate the cause of the irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Specialists then perform one of two types of ablations, including the following:

• Cryoablation, which involves freezing and scarring the unwanted tissue
• Radiofrequency ablation, which involves burning and scarring the unwanted tissue

You may be a candidate for heart ablation if you have a condition such as

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Atrial flutter
• Ventricular tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (abnormal heartbeat)