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Catheter Ablation

Cardiac Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation, Cryoablation

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Meta Information

ID:catheter-ablation
Name:Catheter Ablation
Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

  • Cardiac Ablation
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Cryoablation

Active Compound

null

Intervention Type

procedure

Delivery

Route:
none
Scope:
  • local

Regulatory Status

  • us:medical_procedure
  • eu:medical_procedure

Indication

Focus:
disease_treatment
Description:
Primarily used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, most commonly atrial fibrillation (AFib), by destroying small areas of heart tissue that are causing abnormal electrical signals.

Typical Protocol

  • A single, minimally invasive procedure performed by an electrophysiologist in a hospital setting.
  • Catheters are guided through blood vessels to the heart to deliver energy (heat or cold) to specific tissue.
  • A repeat procedure may be necessary in a subset of patients if the arrhythmia recurs.

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:
20000
High Cost:
50000
Cost Type:
procedure
Description:
Cost of a single procedure in the US; typically covered by insurance when medically indicated.

Summary

Catheter ablation is a procedure designed to correct heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). It works by scarring or destroying tissue in the heart that triggers or sustains an abnormal heart rhythm. By creating precise lesions, it blocks the pathways of faulty electrical signals, aiming to restore a normal heart rhythm and reduce symptoms and long-term risks like stroke.

Purpose

Corrects cardiac arrhythmias by creating targeted scar tissue.

Card Summary

A minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted energy to destroy heart tissue causing arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, aiming to restore normal rhythm.

Drug Class

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:
8.5
Justification:
Curative potential for a serious chronic disease (atrial fibrillation), significantly reducing stroke risk.

Evidence

Grade:
A
Score:
9.5
Justification:
Extensive evidence from multiple large randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses for treating atrial fibrillation.

Safety

Score:
6.5
Justification:
Invasive cardiac procedure with serious, though infrequent, risks including stroke and cardiac tamponade.

Flags

  • Procedure carries risks of bleeding, infection, and blood clots at the catheter insertion site.
  • Major potential complications include stroke, damage to the heart's electrical system requiring a pacemaker, and cardiac tamponade (fluid buildup around the heart).
  • A rare but life-threatening complication is atrio-esophageal fistula.
  • Requires significant expertise from a cardiac electrophysiologist for optimal outcomes.

Verdict

A highly effective, evidence-based treatment for specific cardiac arrhythmias.

Qualifier

focused on disease treatment

Created

2026-05-02T02:12:59.118247Z

Ai Model

Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)