Cardiac Ablation

Wound Care

• The day after your procedure: 
• Remove the bandage at the site and gently clean with soap and water, and pat dry; leave open to air out
• You may shower
• Do not apply lotions, powders, ointments, or perfumes
• Check your groin every day.  A small amount of soreness and bruising (black and blue) a bump smaller than a nickel is normal
• Do not soak your procedure site in water for 1 week (no baths, swimming, etc.)

Activity

Your procedure was done through the groin, for the next 7 days

• Limit climbing stairs
• No strenuous activity, pushing, pulling, or straining (especially during bowel movements) 
• Do not lift anything more than 10 pounds
• You may resume sexual activity after 1 week, unless instructed otherwise
• Mild palpitations are normal. 

Medication

• Please take your medications as explained to you (found on your discharge paperwork)
• If you have discomfort or soreness, take pain medication as explained at discharge
• Resume your oral anticoagulant, as prescribed by your doctor

Diet

• Follow the heart healthy diet recommended by your doctor
• For the next 24 hours:
• Stay at home and rest.  Do not drive or operate machinery
• Do not drink any alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or liquor)
• Do not make important personal or business decisions
• If you smoke, we recommend you quit.  It will immediately improve your health. If you would like to let us help you live smoke-free, call the Center for Tobacco Control at (516) 466-1980

Side Effects

Pain

• You may have pain after your procedure at the puncture site
• Take pain medication as directed by your doctor
• Call your doctor if your pain is not getting better within 5 days or if it gets worse
• Prescription pain medication should be taken with food, and can cause constipation; an over-the-counter stool softener may be helpful

Nausea

• Anesthesia can upset your stomach 
• Eat bland foods (Jell-O, crackers, toast) and drink ginger ale if you are nauseous
• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or ginger ale
• If your have nausea or vomiting the day after your surgery or procedure, call your doctor

Bleeding

• You may have a small amount of oozing from your surgical or procedural site, this is normal
• Bruising and a small bump the size of a nickel is OK.
•  Excessive bleeding at the site can be dangerous and should prompt immediate medical attention

Infection

• If you have any of the following signs of infection, call your doctor
• Redness, swelling, fever over 101 degrees, thick yellow/white drainage

Call Your Doctor

• If you have fast irregular heartbeats, severe pain, swelling, redness, heat or yellow drainage at the site or if you have fever or chills. 
• You have rapid heartbeat or palpitations that cause lightheadedness; dizziness or a fainting spell
• If you experience difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing

Call your doctor at the Cardiology Office at North Shore University Hospital at: (516) 562-2300

Follow-Up Appointment Information

You were scheduled for an appointment in 6 weeks

Call Your Doctor

• If you have fast irregular heartbeats, severe pain, swelling, redness, heat or yellow drainage at the site or if you have fever or chills. 
• You have rapid heartbeat or palpitations that cause lightheadedness; dizziness or a fainting spell
• If you experience difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing

Call your doctor at the Cardiology Office at North Shore University Hospital at: (516) 562-2300