What is radiofrequency energy to treat abnormal heart rhythms?

Also known as: radiofrequency ablation, cardiac ablation.

Heart disease not only refers to problems with the structure of the heart, but may also refer to problems with the electrical wiring of the heart, leading to abnormal heart rhythms or irregular heartbeats. Some of these problems are present at birth. Patients with structural heart disease often have to be corrected with surgery. However, those with abnormal heart rhythms or irregular heartbeats may often be treated with radiofrequency energy, instead.

Radiofrequency energy refers to the use of special electricity or radio waves to disrupt the abnormal electrical activity of heart muscle.


Reviewed by: Sherrie Joy A Baysa, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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