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Ventricular tachycardia ablation, also called VT ablation, uses cold or heat energy to make tiny scars in the heart. The scars block faulty signals that cause a very fast, erratic heartbeat.

VT ablation is a treatment for a type of irregular heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia, also called V-tach or VT. Ventricular tachycardia happens when the heart's signals make the lower heart chambers beat too quickly. The lower heart chambers are called the ventricles. The goal of VT ablation is to bring the heartbeat back to a regular heart rhythm.

Your care team may suggest a type of cardiac ablation called ventricular tachycardia ablation if you have a type of very fast, erratic heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia. If you have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), VT ablation may lower the number of shocks you get from the device.

VT ablation isn't recommended for all types of ventricular tachycardia. Your healthcare team may suggest medicines and other treatments first.

Ask a healthcare professional about your treatment options. Together you can talk about the pros and cons of VT ablation.

Complications of ventricular tachycardia ablation are not common.

Possible risks of VT ablation include:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Damage to blood vessels or the heart.
• More irregular heartbeats.
• Blood clots.
• Damage to the heart's signaling system, which controls the heartbeat.
• Stroke.
• Bleeding around the heart and lungs.

Before

A healthcare team performs ventricular tachycardia ablation in the hospital. Before the treatment, you usually get a medicine called a sedative that helps you relax.

The amount of sedation needed for the treatment depends on the specific type of irregular heartbeat and your overall health. You may stay awake or be lightly sedated. Some people get a mix of medicines, called general anesthesia, to put them in a sleeplike state.

During

The doctor makes many small cuts in the blood vessel in the numbed area, usually the groin area. A thin tube called a catheter goes into a blood vessel. The doctor gently guides the tube to the heart.

Sensors on the tip of the catheter send electrical signals and record the heart's electricity. Your care team uses this information to decide on the best place to apply the VT ablation treatment.

The healthcare teams uses one of the following ablation techniques to make small scars in the heart and block faulty signals that cause the heart to beat too fast:

• Heat, known as radiofrequency energy.
• Extreme cold, known as cryoablation.

VT ablation may be done from inside or outside the heart. Sometimes, the team treats both areas.

• Inside the heart. If the irregular heartbeat starts from inside the heart, the doctor guides the catheter to this area. Heat or cold energy is applied to the target area. The energy damages the tissue and causes scarring. This helps block the electrical signals that cause ventricular tachycardia.
• Outside the heart, also called epicardial ablation. If the irregular heartbeat starts in tissue outside the heart, the doctor places a needle through the skin on the chest and into the lining of the fluid-filled sac around the heart. A hollow tube called a sheath is then inserted. One or more catheters go through the sheath to access the outside surface of the heart. The healthcare team uses heat or cold energy during this treatment.

VT ablation takes about 3 to 6 hours.

After

Afterward, you go to a recovery area where a care team closely watches you. You may stay overnight in the hospital.

After VT ablation, call your healthcare professional if you have any of these symptoms where the doctor placed the catheter, such as:

• Bleeding.
• Changes in skin color.
• Bruising, swelling or a lump.
• Skin that tingles or feels cold.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have any of the following:

• Changes in your heartbeat.
• Trouble breathing.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Chest pain or discomfort that spreads to your arm, neck or jaw.
• Face drooping, arm weakness or trouble speaking.
• A shock from your ICD device.

For most people, the quality of life gets better after ventricular tachycardia ablation. You may feel less tired or get fewer ICD shocks. But sometimes the ventricular tachycardia returns. You may need another VT ablation, or you and your care team might talk about other treatments.