Discharge Instructions for Cardiac Ablation
You have had a procedure called cardiac ablation, which was used to correct an abnormal heartbeat or rhythm. This procedure destroyed (ablated) a few of the cells in your heart that were causing your heart rhythm problem. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube (called a catheter) was inserted into a vein in your upper thigh and threaded through the vein to the abnormal area.
Home Care
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Have someone drive you home and to your appointments for the next few days.
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Limit your activity for several days after the procedure.
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Ask your doctor when you can expect to return to work.
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Take your temperature and check your incision for signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth) every day for a week. It is normal to have a small bruise or lump where the catheter was inserted.
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Take your medications exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses.
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Learn to take your own pulse. Keep a record of your results. Ask your doctor which readings mean that you need medical attention.
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Don't lift anything heavier than 5 pounds until your incision has healed.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
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Redness, pain, swelling, bleeding, or drainage from your incision
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Chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness
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Fever above 100.0°F
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Sudden coldness, pain, or numbness in the leg or arm with the insertion site
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Nausea or vomiting
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Blood in your urine, black or tarry stools, or any other bleeding
Note: Ask your doctor what to expect about your heartbeat. Sometimes the irregularity goes away immediately after the procedure. Other times it may take longer to subside. You also need to call if you have a normal heartbeat after the procedure, but your irregularity then returns.
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Date Last Reviewed:
12/15/2006
Date Last Modified:
10/31/2007