Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary This decision is for adults who have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Normally, your heart has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system. Sometimes that system does not work right, causing a heartbeat that is too fast. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one type of fast heart rate. Catheter ablation is a way to get into your heart—without surgery—and fix the electrical problem. It's like working on the spark plugs in your car without having to open the hood. It may seem like a bad idea to destroy parts of your heart on purpose. But the areas that are destroyed are very tiny and don't affect your heart's ability to do its job. Catheter ablation might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot, you don't want to take heart rhythm medicine, or medicine has not worked for you. This treatment does have some serious risks, but they are rare. Many people decide to have ablation because they hope to feel much better afterward. That hope is worth the risks to them. But the risks may not be worth it for people who have few symptoms. Catheter ablation works well to stop supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and the symptoms it causes. How well it works can depend on the type of SVT. These success rates cover the more common SVT types called AVNRT (atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia) and AVRT (atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia). Catheter ablation stops SVT in about 93 to 97 people out of 100.footnote 2, footnote 3 This means that ablation might not work for 3 to 7 people out of 100. Sometimes, the first ablation does not get rid of SVT completely. SVT might come back in 5 to 8 people out of 100.footnote 2, footnote 3 This means that the problem might not come back in 92 to 95 people out of 100. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT. Overall, problems might happen in about 3 people out of 100.footnote 2, footnote 3 This means that about 97 people out of 100 may not have problems. If problems happen during and soon after the procedure, your doctor is prepared to fix them right away. Your risk of problems depends partly on the type of SVT that you have. Your doctor can help you understand your risk. The doctor can also help you decide whether the possible benefits of ablation outweigh these risks: The benefits may outweigh the risks if: The risks may outweigh the benefits if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I started having episodes of really fast heartbeats 2 years ago. It's this pounding in my chest—very scary. Medicines haven't really helped. I hate the idea of having a procedure like this. But I'm more afraid of the pounding in my chest. I'm going to try catheter ablation. Will, age 36 I know that catheter ablation usually works really well for my type of heart problem. But no one can guarantee that it's completely safe. I'm not ready to take any more risks with my body. I'm going to keep using medicines to treat my fast heartbeat. Juan, age 72 I don't like the idea of taking the rhythm medicines. I would rather have the procedure and fix this problem for good. Betty, age 57 I'm not really bothered by my symptoms when I have an episode. I can usually stop it with vagal maneuvers like coughing. For now, I don't think I need to have this procedure. Paula, age 48 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have catheter ablation Reasons not to have catheter ablation I'm not worried about having a procedure that involves my heart. I'm very worried about having a procedure that involves my heart. I'm bothered a lot by my symptoms. My symptoms don't bother me. I don't want to have to take a heart rhythm medicine. I want to try medicine to relieve my symptoms. The risks of ablation don't bother me as much as the risks of taking medicine. I prefer the risks of taking medicine over the risks of having catheter ablation. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having catheter ablation NOT having catheter ablation Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. This decision is for adults who have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Normally, your heart has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical system. Sometimes that system does not work right, causing a heartbeat that is too fast. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one type of fast heart rate. Catheter ablation is a way to get into your heart—without surgery—and fix the electrical problem. It's like working on the spark plugs in your car without having to open the hood. It may seem like a bad idea to destroy parts of your heart on purpose. But the areas that are destroyed are very tiny and don't affect your heart's ability to do its job. Catheter ablation might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot, you don't want to take heart rhythm medicine, or medicine has not worked for you. This treatment does have some serious risks, but they are rare. Many people decide to have ablation because they hope to feel much better afterward. That hope is worth the risks to them. But the risks may not be worth it for people who have few symptoms. Catheter ablation works well to stop supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and the symptoms it causes. How well it works can depend on the type of SVT. These success rates cover the more common SVT types called AVNRT (atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia) and AVRT (atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia). Catheter ablation stops SVT in about 93 to 97 people out of 100.2, 3 This means that ablation might not work for 3 to 7 people out of 100. Sometimes, the first ablation does not get rid of SVT completely. SVT might come back in 5 to 8 people out of 100.2, 3 This means that the problem might not come back in 92 to 95 people out of 100. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT. Overall, problems might happen in about 3 people out of 100.2, 3 This means that about 97 people out of 100 may not have problems. If problems happen during and soon after the procedure, your doctor is prepared to fix them right away. Your risk of problems depends partly on the type of SVT that you have. Your doctor can help you understand your risk. The doctor can also help you decide whether the possible benefits of ablation outweigh these risks: The benefits may outweigh the risks if: The risks may outweigh the benefits if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I started having episodes of really fast heartbeats 2 years ago. It's this pounding in my chest—very scary. Medicines haven't really helped. I hate the idea of having a procedure like this. But I'm more afraid of the pounding in my chest. I'm going to try catheter ablation." — Will, age 36 "I know that catheter ablation usually works really well for my type of heart problem. But no one can guarantee that it's completely safe. I'm not ready to take any more risks with my body. I'm going to keep using medicines to treat my fast heartbeat." — Juan, age 72 "I don't like the idea of taking the rhythm medicines. I would rather have the procedure and fix this problem for good." — Betty, age 57 "I'm not really bothered by my symptoms when I have an episode. I can usually stop it with vagal maneuvers like coughing. For now, I don't think I need to have this procedure." — Paula, age 48 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have catheter ablation Reasons not to have catheter ablation I'm not worried about having a procedure that involves my heart. I'm very worried about having a procedure that involves my heart. I'm bothered a lot by my symptoms. My symptoms don't bother me. I don't want to have to take a heart rhythm medicine. I want to try medicine to relieve my symptoms. The risks of ablation don't bother me as much as the risks of taking medicine. I prefer the risks of taking medicine over the risks of having catheter ablation. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having catheter ablation NOT having catheter ablation 1.
Does catheter ablation work well for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)? 2.
Is catheter ablation the only treatment to relieve symptoms of SVT? 3.
If ablation doesn't work the first time, can it be done again? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardSupraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is catheter ablation?
When is catheter ablation done?
How well does catheter ablation work?
What are the risks?
Compare your options
Personal stories about considering catheter ablation
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is catheter ablation?
When is catheter ablation done?
How well does catheter ablation work?
What are the risks?
2. Compare your options
Have catheter ablation Don't have catheter ablation What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about considering catheter ablation
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have catheter ablation Have catheter ablation
Don't have catheter ablation Don't have catheter ablation
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
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That's right. Catheter ablation does work well to treat SVT.
That's correct. Some people can relieve their symptoms with vagal maneuvers or by taking heart rhythm medicine.
That's right. You may choose to have it done a second time. A second ablation usually works.
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Very sure
Credits
References
Citations