Radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardias: clinical consideration and nursing care.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is rapidly gaining acceptance as the treatment of choice for many types of symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Introduced in humans in 1987, the procedure has been met with enthusiasm because of its relative safety and high success rate in curing SVT. The typical patient with SVT can be both diagnosed and cured during the same electrophysiology study (EPS). Complications are few, with the majority of patients discharged in less than 48 hours. Nursing care centers on pre- and postprocedural teaching, assessing the effects of radiofrequency energy and implementing nursing orders to prevent postablation complications.