Ablation, in its Latin origin, means destruction, elimination. The method we use in heart diseases (cardiology) is generally catheter ablation. By means of special catheters (ablation catheter), which are a slightly different form of the electrode catheters we described in the EPS section, an area of 3-5 mm that causes arrhythmia in the heart is destroyed. In this way, for example, by eliminating a focus that causes palpitations (tachycardia), the patient gets rid of the palpitation problem. This treatment method is performed either as a continuation of the procedure called EPS or in the second session. The process takes place just like EPS. The patient cannot distinguish the difference between the two procedures. The procedure time for ablation alone may take 1-2 hours. The reason for this is that there is a small focus that causes tachycardia and it takes longer to destroy it than EPS. The destruction process is done either by heating with radiofrequency current or by freezing with cryothermal energy. The procedure is basically painless. Therefore, it is not performed under general anesthesia. Intravenous sedatives are used more often just because of the length of the procedure and the fact that some parts of the heart are a bit painful. After the procedure, the patient can get rid of palpitations completely (without medication). In this respect, this treatment method is one of the rare treatment methods that can provide complete cure (complete recovery) among many treatment methods for many diseases.
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