Patient education: Catheter ablation for the heart – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is catheter ablation? — Catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat certain conditions that cause the heart to beat too fast. It is sometimes called "radiofrequency catheter ablation," "cryothermal ablation," or "cold ablation."

When there is a problem with the heart's electrical system, this can cause the heart to beat too fast. Catheter ablation destroys the part of the heart that is creating or spreading abnormal electrical signals. After the procedure, the heart can beat normally again.

To get to the heart, doctors do a procedure called "cardiac catheterization" (figure 1).

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Make sure that you know how to care for the cut (incision) that was made in your skin. Your doctor or nurse will tell you:

•When and how to change the bandage

•When you can take a shower or bath

•When to get your stitches or staples removed, if needed

●Wash your hands before touching your incision or bandage.

●Lie down if your incision starts to bleed. Put pressure on the area until bleeding stops.

●Follow your doctor's instructions about lifting heavy objects. The doctor or nurse will also tell you when you can go back to your normal activities, including driving, work, exercise, and sex.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor will probably want to see you about a week after your procedure. At this appointment, they will discuss your results and what to do next.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you think that you might be having a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of a heart attack might include:

●Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:

•Trouble breathing, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin

•Pain in your arms, back, or jaw

•Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs

●Fast or irregular heartbeat

●Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak

Symptoms of a stroke might include:

●Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on 1 side of the body

●Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding

●Trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes

●Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

●Severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor for advice if:

●The area where the tube went in bleeds a lot.

●You have pain, numbness or tingling, swelling, or redness near where the tube went in.

●You have signs of an allergic reaction like itching, wheezing, or feeling like your tongue or throat is swelling.

●You have signs of infection like fever or pain with urination.

●Your leg or hand is weak or numb.

●You have a fast or irregular heartbeat again.

●You have any new or worrying symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Catheter ablation for the heart (The Basics)
Patient education: Cardiac catheterization (The Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (The Basics)

Patient education: Catheter ablation for abnormal heartbeats (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pacemakers (Beyond the Basics)