Why is it done?
The normal heartbeat is caused by an electrical impulse, or signal, that follows a certain pathway in the heart muscle, similar to the wiring in a house. But some people have abnormal heartbeats caused by impulses that come from abnormal locations or travel through an abnormal pathway. A catheter ablation is recommended as treatment for patients with certain heart rhythm disorders. In these disorders:

• An abnormal pathway short-circuits the normal electrical system of the heart, causing a fast heartbeat.
  
• The heart can " race" from a few seconds to hours.
• A person can have symptoms of palpitaion, chest pounding, dizziness, light-headedness, and even fainting.

For every normal heartbeat, an electrical signal starts in the sinus node, travels through the atria (upper chamber of the heart), then through the AV node to the ventricles (lower chambers). If an electrical signal starts in a different location, it will travel an abnormal, or accessory pathway.