Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: PSVT and radiofrequency ablation

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Arrhythmia


I have 2 questions. First, in radio frequency ablation, how is the ectopy ablated when the heart is constantly beating? Is the heart slowed down so the electrophysiologist can attatch the catheter to the problemed area of the heart to burn out the extra stimulus? Does the catheter attatch itself to the heart somehow? In all, how does it work? Secondly, I'm in the Philadelphia area which I hear is saturated with electrophysiologists. So far I have heard good things about Dr. Michael Hannah, the director or the EP lab at U Penn. Do you have any reccomendations for who I could see? I need the best because my arrythmia is very unique. Thanks again. You guys rule..Bob
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Dear Bob,
As for the radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) technique, it is a mapping system of the electrical circuit of the heart
and has no bearing on the motion of the heart or vice versa.
The catheters therefore have little sensors on their tips that enable the location of the problematic electrical pathway which is then
given the little burn from the tip of the catheter and it is the superficial burn of the heart muscle that
essentially puts a road block up for that problematic pathway. If you can imagine, an unsuccessful case can occur due to the burn not
blocking the entire road or the problematic electrical pathway finding an alternate route (this is not very common at all.)

Dr.Kowery (at Hahnemann or Jefferson) is well known electrophysiologist in Philadelphia, whose name came
up in speaking with the EP doctors here. If I have any other names I will resubmit in the next two days, so
check back on this forum and good luck.


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