Catheter Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias

When you have an irregular or rapid heartbeat like atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, or ventricular tachycardia, you want a solution that lasts. Catheter ablation is a common treatment that can help you feel better, and in some cases, live longer. It’s a safe and effective way to get your heart back into a steady rhythm.

At Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), our expert electrophysiology team performs advanced ablation procedures using state-of-the-art mapping and imaging systems. We’re here to help you reclaim your quality of life—closer to home and with the high-level care you deserve. 

What to Know About Your Catheter Ablation

Here’s what you should know before, during, and after your procedure. 

How to Prepare 

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your procedure. 
• Wear comfortable clothes. 
• Follow your provider’s instructions about pausing medications. Some may need to be discontinued several days in advance.

What to Expect During the Catheter Ablation  

One of our cardiac electrophysiologists, a cardiologist with advanced and specialized training in heart rhythm disorders, will perform your catheter ablation. Your procedure will likely take between two and four hours: 

• You’ll be given medicine to help you relax or sleep during the procedure. 
• Your electrophysiologist will place catheters (a thin, flexible tube) into a blood vessel in your leg and/or neck.  
• Through your blood vessel, your electrophysiologist will gently guide the catheter into your heart. 
• They’ll use imaging and mapping tools to find the spot that’s causing your irregular heartbeat. 
• Once spotted, they’ll deliver ablation lesions to stop the problem. 
• The catheters are then removed, and the spot where it was placed is cleaned and covered with a bandage. 

Heat or Cold: Two Ways to Treat the Problem 

Once we find the spot in your heart causing the irregular rhythm, we often use either heat or cold to treat it. Both methods work by gently damaging that small area so it can no longer send out faulty signals. 

• Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to correct your tissue. 
• Cryoablation uses cold to freeze the problem area. 

More recently, another method of ablation, called “pulsed field” ablation (PFA) has been used. This method is faster and safer, especially for ablation of atrial fibrillation. PFA utilizes tiny bursts of electricity to selectively affect heart cells involved in the clinical arrhythmia, with less impact on surrounding tissues.

What to Expect After 

You may feel tired or have a sore spot where the catheter was placed, but this usually goes away in a day or two. Most people return to their normal activities within a few days. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to exercise or return to work. 

You’ll also have a follow-up visit to check your heartbeat. On this same visit, you can discuss whether you need to continue any of your medications.  

Why Choose WMCHealth for Catheter Ablation 

High-Tech Labs Designed for Heart Rhythm Treatment 

When you have an irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, you want answers and treatment you can trust. At WMCHealth, we have high-quality imaging and 3D mapping systems that help us precisely locate the source of your arrhythmia, along with the latest ablation technologies. This means we can treat the source with accuracy and confidence. 

Regional Access to Seamless Transfers 

Catheter ablation is available at multiple WMCHealth locations across the Hudson Valley. If you need more advanced care, our team coordinates seamless transfers to other cardiac centers within our Network, including Westchester Medical Center, (the flagship of the WMCHealth system) as well as at and Good Samaritan Hospital.