With specialized catheters threaded to the heart, we identify the source of the arrhythmia and destroy or alter the area by using the heated tip of another catheter. This technique usually takes four to six hours and is done under general anesthesia. Most of the time is spent mapping electrical activity in the heart and monitoring electrical activity after the ablation. It also involves an overnight hospital stay. Most patients return to school the day after discharge.
Patients can expect a full recovery in two to three days.
Radiofrequency ablation often corrects the irregular heart beat. Following registration, you and your child will be escorted to the Arrhythmia Center on the hospital's 6th floor. Discussion You and your child will be escorted to an examination room, at which time the doctor and his staff will discuss the procedure with you. This is a good time to ask questions about the procedure. If the catheterization lab is not in use at this time, you may tour the facility as well as the telemetry unit, which is where your child will go following the procedure.