Supraventricular Tachycardia Ablation (COR)

What is SVT Ablation?

SVT Ablation, also known as Supraventricular Tachycardia Ablation, is a procedure to restore healthy heart rhythm. During SVT Ablation, the doctor generates scar tissue that shields your heart from abnormal electrical signals. SVT Ablation is also sometimes called SVT or catheter ablation.

Why Might You Need an SVT Ablation?

You may need an SVT Ablation if you suffer from one of the following conditions:

Atrial tachycardia: Abnormal heartbeat where the electrical pulses originate from the upper chambers or atria.
Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT): The heart beats prematurely.
Atrial flutter: When your heart beats too fast because of an abnormal circuit in the right atrium or upper chambers.
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT): An accessory pathway in or around the AV node triggers the heart to beat sooner than usual. This condition affects both men and women. However, the condition occurs more often in young women.

SVT Ablation is performed on adults at Baptist Health. Sometimes it is the first treatment option. Other times, it is reserved for when other treatments do not produce the desired outcomes.

SVT Ablation: What to Expect?

You can expect your SVT Ablation treatment to last for three to six hours. You will be administered a sedative, and likely will be required to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring.

Once you receive a sedative for comfort, an area near your groin or on your neck will be cleansed and readied for a small incision. The area will also be numbed by a local anesthetic prior to the incision.

Next, a catheter fitted with electrodes is inserted into your vein and guided to your heart. The electrodes record data from your heart’s electrical activity. They also send targeted electrical or cold pulses. These pulses create scar tissue meant to block other electrical signals from disrupting your heart’s normal rhythm.

When electrical energy is used to create scarring, the process is called radiofrequency ablation. When extremely cold temperature is used, it is called cryoablation.

After the procedure, you will be taken to a room for SVT Ablation recovery.

SVT Ablation Results

The majority of people who get SVT Ablations recover normal heart activity. However, there is a chance that the erratic heart rhythm will return. The SVT success rate depends on many factors, including your general health, medical history, and severity of your underlying heart condition.

If you or your loved ones require an SVT Ablation, a cardiologist at Baptist Health may be able to help.