In experienced centres, and depending on the type of arrhythmic, the success rate is about 95-98% and the recurrence rate is <5%. The risk of the procedure for any serious complication is around 1% (bleeding, infection, injuries to the blood vessels and surrounding structures of the heart, heart block needing permanent pacemakers, death). Patients are usually discharged the next day after the ablation procedure.
Most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two. You may find a small bruise or lump under your skin where the catheter was inserted. This is common and should go away within a few days. Avoid strenuous physical exercise for about 2-4 weeks but after that, full physical and normal activities can be resumed.
Patients with cardiac arrhythmias may be at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, have recurrent attacks of arrhythmia or may need lifelong drug therapy and its potential side effects.. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is able to cure some of these patients by ablating the abnormal focus of arrhythmia.
