Electrophysiology Studies Catheter Ablation

• The purpose of the procedure is to prevent abnormal electrical signals from spreading throughout the heart.
• It is meant for the treatment of certain arrhythmias that cannot be controlled with medicine or have a high risk of: 

1. Atrial fibrillation
2. Ventricular fibrillation
3. Cardiac arrest

• Uses radiofrequency (RF) technology – high energy wave to form scars in the tissue.
• The procedure is similar to angioplasty catheterization except the two main catheters used are:

1. Mapping catheter – picks up the electrical activity sources in the heart chamber walls
2. Ablation catheter – follows the mapping catheter and administers the RF

• The intermittent scarring will disconnect the cardiac circuit in undesirable places.