Cardiac Ablation

Cardiac ablation, which is also referred to as catheter ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses energy to destroy tiny areas of the heart muscle that produce an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. Depending on your condition, your Duke electrophysiologist may recommend one of these catheter ablation techniques:

Pulsed Field Ablation
Pulsed field ablation uses a process called electroporation, which delivers rapid pulses of electricity, precisely calibrated to affect only specific types of cells. This creates tiny holes in the walls of problematic heart cells, inactivating those cells while sparing surrounding tissue.

Radiofrequency Ablation
This ablation technique uses heat energy to create lesions in the heart tissue. Our fully equipped EP labs have irrigated radiofrequency technology, which actively cools the catheter tip and increases electrophysiologists' control and success.

Cryoablation / Cryothermy
This approach uses extreme cold, or cryo energy, to freeze heart tissue, creating a lesion that interrupts errant signals in the heart.

Epicardial Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia
We have substantial experience in this complex procedure, which involves mapping and ablation of the epicardium (the area outside of the heart) for the 15% to 20% of people whose ventricular arrhythmia occurs on the heart’s outer surface.

Excellent Outcomes the First Time
We have achieved some of the lowest complication rates associated with catheter ablation. In the past two years, fewer than 10% of our patients have needed a repeat ablation -- a rate less than half the average.

Access to Clinical Trials
Our involvement in the latest ablation research means you have access to the most recent treatment advances. For example, we performed one of the region’s first laser balloon ablation procedures, which uses a laser to ablate an arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation. In our clinical trials, we constantly test new techniques and devices that aim to shorten procedures, reduce complications, and improve long-term cure rates.

Novel Mapping Technology, Greater Precision
Computerized catheter mapping combined with sophisticated imaging helps us determine exactly which locations in your heart are causing the arrhythmia, so we can more accurately target them for ablation and increase the accuracy of the procedure. We have expertise in several novel computer-based mapping and navigation systems, which helps enhance precision and shorten procedure times.

An Experienced Team Dedicated to Your Needs
Your team may include electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nurse practitioners, cardiovascular pharmacists, nurses, and others who are dedicated to diagnosing and treating atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. Our team understands how these conditions and their treatments affect your body and help you manage the effects.

Latest Catheter Ablation Techniques
We continually refine current practice and seek out new approaches, such as pulsed field ablation, epicardial ablation for ventricular tachycardia, and surgical ablation. This ensures you receive the most current technologies, including procedures not widely available elsewhere.