Does Radiofrequency Ablation Have a High Recurrence Rate?

Radiofrequency ablation surgery is a commonly used surgical method in clinical medicine. Due to its minimal trauma to human tissues, simple surgical operation, and significant postoperative effects, it has been chosen by many doctors. Radiofrequency ablation surgery can achieve various surgical effects. For instance, it can be used for heart diseases. However, is the recurrence rate high after radiofrequency ablation surgery?

After radiofrequency ablation surgery for the heart, arrhythmia may still recur. The most commonly used radiofrequency ablation surgeries in clinical practice include ablation for atrial arrhythmia, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. Currently, the recurrence rate cannot be fully statistically determined in clinical practice. The cure rate for supraventricular tachycardia is relatively high with a low recurrence rate, while the recurrence rates for atrial arrhythmia and ventricular arrhythmia can reach 30% to 40%. Clinically, recurrence within one month after radiofrequency ablation surgery is referred to as early recurrence. Some patients gradually return to normal after early recurrence.

Radiofrequency ablation equipment includes a radiofrequency generator, measurement and control unit, radiofrequency electrode needle, return electrode plate, and a computer. By connecting the electrode catheter to the skin electrode on the human body and releasing radiofrequency current, a spherical coagulation necrosis zone centered on the radiofrequency electrode is formed locally to block abnormal conduction bundles and origin points of rapid arrhythmias or kill tumor cells, achieving the treatment goal.

The main advantages of radiofrequency ablation surgery are minimal trauma, with only a small incision formed postoperatively, approximately 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter and depth, which does not affect surrounding normal myocardial tissue. Recovery is rapid, and patients can get out of bed for activity after 6 to 12 hours of bed rest. Typically, they can be discharged from the hospital within two to three days. Since radiofrequency ablation surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, general anesthesia is not required during the surgery, and patients are generally conscious during the process. During electrophysiological examination or electrical pulsing, patients do not experience significant pain. The entire operation process is relatively simple, with relatively low risk and high safety.