What is the success rate of cardiac ablation?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can provide you with an overview of the success rates of cardiac ablation procedures. It's important to note that the success rate can vary significantly depending on the specific type of arrhythmia being treated, the experience of the medical team, the technology used, and the patient's individual health factors. For atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is one of the most common conditions treated with ablation, success rates can range from 50% to over 80%. Success is typically defined as freedom from AFib without the need for antiarrhythmic medications. However, some patients may require more than one procedure to achieve the desired outcome. For other types of arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), success rates can be higher, often exceeding 80% in experienced centers. Again, these rates can be influenced by various factors including the underlying cause of the arrhythmia and the patient's overall health. It's crucial for patients to discuss the potential risks and benefits, as well as the expected success rate, with their healthcare provider before undergoing a cardiac ablation procedure.

When the procedure is repeated in patients who still have atrial fibrillation after the first procedure, the overall success rate is approximately 85-90 percent. Persistent atrial fibrillation can be eliminated in approximately 50 percent of patients with a single procedure.