Definition
Radiofrequency ablation uses energy to heat and destroy an area of tissue.
Reasons for Procedure
This procedure is used to destroy abnormal tissue that may be causing health problems. It may be used to treat:
- Tumors— to reduce their size
- Cardiac arrhythmias— to destroy areas of the heart that cause uneven or fast heartbeats
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—to remove extra prostate tissue
- Severe snoring and/or sleep apnea —to remove excess tissue at the back of the mouth and throat
- Severe nerve pain
- Varicose veins —removes veins that cause problems
Ablation procedure blocked impulses that had been causing atrial fibrillation.
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Possible Complications
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will go over some problems that could happen such as:
- Excess bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Damage to other organs or structures
Things that may increase the risk of problems are:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
The care team may meet with you to talk about:
- Anesthesia options
- Any allergies you may have
- Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before the procedure
- Fasting before the procedure, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
- Whether you need a ride to and from the procedure
- Tests that will need to be done before the procedure
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia will be used—the area will be numbed.
If this is done as part of another surgery, you may have:
- General anesthesia—you will be asleep, or
- Spinal anesthesia—you will be numb from the belly down
Description of the Procedure
The exact steps will depend on where the tissue is located. A probe is applied to the area. Or the probe may be passed through a small tube to the area. Imaging such as a CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI scan will help guide the doctor to the area.
A small amount of electricity is passed through the tube. This heats and destroys the tissue. The probe may also be used to destroy other areas of tissue.
How Long Will It Take?
About 10 to 60 minutes
Will It Hurt?
Pain after the procedure depends on the location and amount of tissue. Medicine and home care help
Average Hospital Stay
Some may leave the hospital on the same day. Others will need to stay overnight so the doctor can check them.
Post-procedure Care
Most return to normal activities within a few days.
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or any discharge from the incision
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines
- Cough, problems breathing, pounding heart, or chest pain
- Lasting nausea or vomiting
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org
Radiology Info—The Radiological Society of North America
https://www.radiologyinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Cancer Agency
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
REFERENCES:
Ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/atrial-fibrillation . Accessed July 20, 2021.
Cardiac procedures and surgeries. American Heart Association website. Available at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/cardiac-procedures-and-surgeries#.Wh3RRlWnFxA. Accessed July 20, 2021.
Radiofrequency ablation background. National Institutes of Health website. Available at https://www.cc.nih.gov/drd/rfa/background.html. Accessed July 20, 2021.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)/Microwave ablation (MWA) of lung tumors. Radiology Info—Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/rfalung . Accessed July 20, 2021.
Reccia I, Kumar J, Habib N, Sodergren M. The use of radiofrequency ablation in pancreatic cancer in the midst of the dawn of immuno-oncology. Med Oncol. 2018;35(12):151.
Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC Last Updated: 7/20/2021