All Offices: (860) 522-0604 | Wallingford: (203) 265-9831

What You Need to Know about an Ablation

Pre procedure for Ablation

1-2 weeks ahead:

  • Please have blood work done within 1-2 weeks of your procedure date.

The night before:

  • Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the day prior to procedure.
  • You will receive a phone call the night before procedure (Friday if procedure is on Monday) between 3pm and 6pm with arrival time and location – schedule for the day is not known before then and we are unable to provide a time before this.

The morning of the procedure:

  • Medication Management:
    • If you use insulin or any oral medications for diabetes, please do not take them the morning of the procedure.
    • Talk to your doctor about any additional medications you should stop prior to the procedure.
  • Take any other medications with a sip of water the morning of the procedure.
    • Continue your approved medical regimen unchanged up until this day, unless otherwise noted.

After the procedure:

  • You will need a ride home with a chaperone after the procedure which will most likely be a same-day discharge.

If you have any questions regarding your procedure, please call our office at:

(203) 265-9831 or (860) 522-0604.

Post procedure for Ablation 

Important phone numbers:

  • Surgeon/Electrophysiologist’s office: (203) 265-9831 or (860) 522-0604
    • They are available Monday–Friday, 8am–4:30pm.
    • Our answering service is available after hours for emergencies and can contact the on-call physician for any urgent or emergent matters.

General Information: 

  • Do not drive for 3 days after the procedure.
  • For a few weeks, or even up to 3 months, after your ablation, you may feel occasional skipped beats or a sensation that your arrhythmia is starting up. These symptoms are very common and usually decrease in frequency over time. If you have irregular beats [SM1] that do not go away or think that your arrhythmia has returned, please call our office. 

Activity:

Although the puncture sites heal quickly, there is a small chance of bleeding from the puncture site where the catheters were placed during your procedure.

  • For at least 3 days, do not lift, push, or pull anything heavier than 10 pounds, or do any exercise that causes you to hold your breath and bear down with your abdominal muscles. 
  • One week after the procedure, you may resume your regular activities, including sexual activity. We suggest that you begin your exercise program at half your usual routine for the first few days and gradually work back up to your full routine.

If you are on Coumadin/ warfarin or any other prescribed blood thinners: 

  • For at least 7 days, do not lift, push, or pull anything heavier than 10 pounds, or do any exercises that causes you to hold your breath and bear down with your abdominal muscles. 
  • Ten days after your procedure, you may resume your regular activities, including sexual activity. We suggest that you begin your exercise program at half your usual routine for the first few days and gradually work back up to your full routine.

Care of the Puncture Sites: 

  • Do not take a tub bath, sit in a hot tub, or swim until the puncture site is healed. This usually takes about a week. 
  • Leave the dressing(s) on the site(s) until the day after the procedure. 
  • A small bruise or bump (around the size of an almond) may form under the skin at the puncture site. This is common and generally disappears in 3-4 weeks. 
  • Keep the site clean and dry. You may get the site wet the day after the procedure. Use regular soap and water and pat the area dry; do not rub. 
  • Do not use alcohol, ointment, lotion, powder, or creams on the puncture sites. 
  • Monitor the sites daily for signs of infection: fever, redness, swelling, warmth, new soreness, or drainage. Report any of these symptoms to your electrophysiologist.

When to Call Our Office: 

  • If you experience increased weakness or inability to do regular activities.
  • If you experience difficulty breathing or chest pain.
  • If symptoms re-occur that were present prior to ablation, such as lightheadedness, palpitations, fluttering, fainting, or near fainting. 
  • If you have questions about your arrhythmia medications.

If You Had an Atrial Fibrillation Ablation:

  • You will be asked to have your warfarin level (INR) drawn more frequently after your ablation. Please see your general discharge instructions for this schedule.
  • You may have more frequent follow-up visits with your electrophysiologist. Please see your general discharge instructions for your appointments. 

If you have any questions regarding your procedure, please call our office at:

(203) 265-9831 or (860) 522-0604.