SVT Ablation Procedure
Reasons You Might Need SVT Ablation
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation treats rapid and irregular heart rhythms that start in the heart’s upper chambers, or atria. People may need this therapy if they have symptoms related to abnormal heartbeats that do not respond well to medications or other treatments. These symptoms can include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Palpitations
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting (syncope)
Doctors usually recommend ablation for specific arrhythmias such as atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), and atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT). AVRT can involve Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which includes a specific accessory pathway in the heart.
SVT ablation can help children or adults at higher risk for complications like stroke or heart failure, or those who do not improve with drugs like beta blockers or anti-arrhythmic medications. The care team discusses the benefits and risks before making a decision about the procedure.
Common Conditions Treated with SVT Ablation
| Arrhythmia Type | Related Terms |
|---|---|
| Atrial tachycardia | Multifocal atrial tachycardia |
| Atrial flutter | Flutter waves |
| AVNRT (Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia) | Dual AV nodal pathways |
| AVRT (Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia) | Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, accessory pathways |
How the Procedure Works and What Happens
The care team performs catheter ablation for SVT at a hospital, usually in the electrophysiology lab. Before starting, they shave the insertion area (often the groin) and give a sedative to help the patient relax.
They numb the area and insert a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, then gently guide it to the heart using fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray imaging). Special sensors at the end of the ablation catheter map the heart’s electrical system and identify the source of the abnormal rhythm. The doctor may use several tests and tools, such as:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Holter or event monitors
- Electrophysiologic study (EP study)
- Blood tests and echocardiography
Once the doctor pinpoints the area causing the arrhythmia, they deliver energy to create small scars. The methods include:
- Radiofrequency energy (heat-based ablation)
- Cryoablation (cold-based ablation)
- Sometimes laser energy
These scars block the abnormal electrical pathway and restore a normal heart rhythm. The procedure usually takes between 3 and 6 hours. Afterward, healthcare staff move patients to a recovery area and monitor them closely. An overnight hospital stay is common. Most people can resume light activity soon and return to normal routines within a few days.
Steps in SVT Ablation
- Sedation and local anesthesia
- Catheter insertion and navigation
- Mapping the electrical system
- Delivery of energy (radiofrequency or cryoablation)
- Monitoring and recovery
Possible side effects or risks include minor bleeding, infection, damage to blood vessels, or, more rarely, heart block or phrenic nerve injury.
What to Expect After SVT Ablation
Many patients notice significant improvement in their symptoms after SVT ablation. The success rate is generally high, usually between 90% and 95% for most SVT types. However, arrhythmias may return in a small number of individuals (about 2% to 11%).
People often report fewer palpitations, less dizziness, and reduced anxiety about unexpected heart rhythms. While some still need medications for other heart conditions, many reduce or stop their arrhythmia medications altogether.
Healthcare professionals watch for complications such as bleeding, infection, or, rarely, unintended damage to the heart’s electrical conduction system. Most people return to daily life with minimal restrictions. If abnormal rhythms return, further treatment—including another ablation—may be necessary.
Most children and adults who undergo SVT ablation experience a better quality of life, less fear of fainting or heart racing, and an increased ability to exercise or participate in regular activities.
