By: Abdi Waluyo Hospital

Overview

What is Cardiac Ablation?

Cardiac Ablation, also known as Catheter Ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias) by eliminating or isolating small areas of heart tissue that generate or conduct abnormal electrical signals.

During the procedure, a cardiac electrophysiologist inserts thin, flexible catheters through blood vessels in the groin or neck and advances them into the heart. Using sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) mapping technology, the abnormal electrical pathways are precisely identified. Energy is then delivered through the catheter—most commonly radiofrequency (heat) or cryoablation (cold)—to create tiny scars that interrupt the abnormal electrical signals while preserving healthy heart tissue.

Cardiac Ablation can provide a long-term solution for many arrhythmias, reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and in many cases eliminating the need for long-term antiarrhythmic medications.

At RS Abdi Waluyo, Cardiac Ablation is performed by experienced cardiac electrophysiologists using advanced electrophysiology systems and state-of-the-art technology in a Hybrid Catheterization Laboratory (Hybrid Cath Lab) to ensure precision, safety, and optimal patient outcomes.

Why is Cardiac Ablation Performed?

Your cardiologist or cardiac electrophysiologist may recommend Cardiac Ablation to treat:

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Atrial Flutter
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT)
Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT)
Certain types of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) causing significant symptoms
Arrhythmias that do not respond to medication
Arrhythmias causing recurrent palpitations, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart failure

The decision to perform ablation depends on the type of arrhythmia, symptom severity, underlying heart disease, and your overall health

Details of the Procedure

Cardiac Ablation is performed in the Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory or Hybrid Cath Lab under local anesthesia with conscious sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure

Before the procedure:

Your doctor will review your medical history and current medications
Blood tests, an Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, Holter monitoring, cardiac CT, or cardiac MRI may be performed
You may need to stop certain antiarrhythmic medications or blood thinners before the procedure, as instructed by your doctor
You will usually be asked to fast for several hours before the procedure
Inform your doctor if you have allergies, implanted cardiac devices, or kidney disease

The procedure generally lasts 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type and complexity of the arrhythmia

What Happens During the Procedure?

During the procedure:

Local anesthesia is administered at the catheter insertion site, usually in the groin
Thin catheters are inserted into blood vessels and guided to the heart using fluoroscopic and 3D mapping guidance
Detailed electrical mapping identifies the abnormal electrical circuits responsible for the arrhythmia
The abnormal heart rhythm may be temporarily induced to accurately identify its origin
Radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoenergy (freezing) is delivered through the catheter to destroy or isolate the abnormal tissue
Additional electrical testing confirms that the abnormal rhythm has been successfully treated
The catheters are removed, and pressure is applied to prevent bleeding

Throughout the procedure, your heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen level, and overall condition are continuously monitored

The Role of the Hybrid Cath Lab

At RS Abdi Waluyo, Cardiac Ablation is supported by an advanced Hybrid Catheterization Laboratory (Hybrid Cath Lab), combining cutting-edge imaging technology with a fully equipped interventional and surgical environment

The Hybrid Cath Lab provides several important advantages:

Advanced real-time imaging to improve procedural precision and safety
Integration with sophisticated 3D electroanatomical mapping systems for accurate localization of abnormal electrical pathways
Immediate access to cardiac surgery should complex situations require surgical intervention
Enhanced patient safety, particularly for complex electrophysiology procedures
Multidisciplinary Heart Team collaboration, involving electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and imaging specialists
Capability to manage complex structural heart and arrhythmia procedures in one integrated facility

What Should I Expect After the Procedure?

After Cardiac Ablation:

You will remain in the recovery area for several hours for observation
Most patients stay in the hospital overnight, although some may be discharged on the same day
Mild soreness or bruising at the catheter insertion site is common
You may experience occasional skipped heartbeats or brief palpitations during the healing period
Your doctor may prescribe medications temporarily while the heart heals
Most patients can return to normal daily activities within several days, although strenuous activity should be avoided for approximately one week

Follow-up appointments are important to evaluate treatment success and monitor heart rhythm.

What Are the Risks?

Cardiac Ablation is generally considered a safe procedure with a high success rate However, potential risks include:

Bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site
Blood vessel injury
Infection
Blood clots that could lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism
Damage to the heart’s normal electrical conduction system, occasionally requiring a permanent pacemaker
Cardiac perforation or pericardial effusion (rare)
Damage to nearby structures, depending on the type of ablation performed
Recurrence of the arrhythmia, which may require repeat ablation
Heart attack or death (extremely rare)

Your healthcare team carefully monitors you throughout the procedure to minimize these risks

Results and Follow-Up

Following Cardiac Ablation, your electrophysiologist will evaluate:

Elimination or reduction of the abnormal heart rhythm
Improvement in symptoms
Need for ongoing medications
Recovery of heart function, when applicable
Long-term rhythm control

Follow-up care may include:

ECG examinations
Holter or ambulatory ECG monitoring
Echocardiography
Medication review
Lifestyle counseling and cardiovascular risk management

When Will I Know the Results?

Your electrophysiologist can usually explain the initial procedural results immediately after the ablation

However, it is important to understand that:

Some arrhythmias require a healing period of approximately 2 to 3 months (known as the “blanking period”) before the final success of the procedure can be determined
Temporary palpitations or irregular heartbeats may occur during this period and do not necessarily indicate treatment failure

Your doctor will evaluate your progress during scheduled follow-up visits

If the Results Are Abnormal, What Are the Next Steps?

If your arrhythmia persists or recurs, your doctor may recommend:

Adjustment of antiarrhythmic medications
Additional Holter monitoring or ECG testing
Repeat Cardiac Ablation
Implantation of a pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), when indicated
Additional cardiac imaging or electrophysiology studies
Ongoing follow-up with a cardiac electrophysiologist

Treatment recommendations will depend on the specific arrhythmia, your symptoms, and your overall heart condition

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent bleeding or swelling at the catheter insertion site
Fever
Fainting or severe dizziness
Rapid or sustained palpitations
Pain, numbness, or discoloration of the leg used for the procedure
Any new or worsening symptoms

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience severe chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness

Why Choose RS Abdi Waluyo for Cardiac Ablation?

At RS Abdi Waluyo, Cardiac Ablation is performed using advanced electrophysiology technology by highly experienced cardiac electrophysiologists dedicated to providing comprehensive arrhythmia care

Our Cardiac Ablation program offers:

Advanced Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory and Hybrid Catheterization Laboratory (Hybrid Cath Lab) equipped with state-of-the-art imaging and navigation systems
Three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomical mapping technology for highly accurate identification of abnormal electrical pathways while minimizing radiation exposure
Experienced cardiac electrophysiologists specializing in the treatment of both simple and complex cardiac arrhythmias
Comprehensive management of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, SVT, ventricular tachycardia, and other complex rhythm disorders
A multidisciplinary Heart Team approach, involving electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and cardiac imaging specialists to provide individualized treatment
Comprehensive cardiac care, from diagnosis and electrophysiological studies to catheter ablation, rhythm monitoring, and long-term follow-up
Patient-centered care, focused on restoring normal heart rhythm, improving quality of life, reducing stroke risk, and minimizing the need for long-term medication whenever possible

With advanced electrophysiology expertise, Hybrid Cath Lab technology, and personalized cardiac care, RS Abdi Waluyo provides comprehensive treatment for heart rhythm disorders, helping patients achieve safer procedures, better long-term rhythm control, and an improved quality of life