Question

Which of these are true regarding catheter ablation procedures?

A) Patients are required to be completely still, so anesthesia providers usually opt for general anesthesia.
B) During this procedure, the cardiologist will attempt to use electrical impulses to convert the patient to normal rhythm.
C) This procedure is relatively short, lasting about 2-3 hours.
D) A catheter is used to damage the part of the conduction pathway responsible for the abnormal rhythm, usually with heat.

Answer 1

Catheter ablation procedures involve patients being still with the use of local anesthesia or sedation, the cardiologist damaging the part of the conduction pathway responsible for the abnormal rhythm, and the procedure lasting about 2-3 hours.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding catheter ablation procedures:

1. A) Patients are generally required to be still during the procedure, but anesthesia providers may use local anesthesia or sedation rather than general anesthesia.
2. B) The cardiologist uses radiofrequency energy or other methods to ablate, or damage, the part of the conduction pathway responsible for the abnormal rhythm, not electrical impulses to convert the patient to normal rhythm.
3. C) The duration of a catheter ablation procedure varies depending on the specific case, but it typically lasts around 2-3 hours.