CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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RF ABLATION AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Gain rapid access to the specialist diagnostics and treatment you need – with appointments confirmed within 24 hours and same-day imaging tests.
You can expect exceptional care from specialist consultants and multidisciplinary teams who are highly experienced in delivering radiofrequency ablation treatment. All within our dedicated neurosurgical wards. With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings than any other private healthcare group in the UK, no wonder 99% of our patients say they’d recommend HCA UK to family and friends.
Radiofrequency ablation, or RF ablation, is a nonsurgical procedure used to treat conditions affecting the body's neurological and cardiac systems, including chronic pain that cannot be managed through medication or physiotherapy, certain heart rhythm disorders and hard-to-access cancer tumours.
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat from high frequency electrical currents to destroy cells and tissue in the body that are causing pain or a faulty heartbeat. This helps to shrink tumours, nodules and other type of growths.
Your consultant will explain the procedure beforehand and answer any questions you might have. They will discuss your medical history, as well as previous surgeries or medications you are taking. You may also have an X-ray and a CT scan, to guide your medical team through the treatment.
Generally, the process takes up to an hour, depending on your condition and the reason for treatment. You'll be told how long your procedure is expected to take beforehand.
The type of anaesthetic you are offered will depend on the reason for the procedure. If you're having RF ablation for pain management or to treat arrhythmia, it is carried out with local anaesthetic and a mild sedative. In rare instances, you may receive general anaesthetic.
100+
Heart rhythm specialists to choose from
3,300+
Ablation procedures performed between 2020 and 2024
5
Hospitals and fifteen expert diagnostic centres
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
The RF ablation process
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from a GP, the first step will be an initial consultation to find out more about your health, medical history, symptoms and lifestyle.
02
Tests and scans
During your initial appointment, your consultant may carry out diagnostic tests to gain a better picture of your overall health and the specific condition requiring treatment.
Once they’ve confirmed your diagnosis, our specialists will put together the most effective treatment plan for you. This might include RF ablation.
Once they’ve confirmed your diagnosis, our specialists will put together the most effective treatment plan for you. This might include RF ablation.
03
RF ablation procedure
The radiofrequency ablation process involves the following stages:
- Insertion of the catheter or electrode: A catheter or electrode is carefully inserted into the targeted area using guided imaging. Your consultant will only apply the electrical current when they have precisely aligned the needle.
- Application of radiofrequency energy: A needle connected to a radiofrequency generator will apply heat to a precise area of the nerve tissue. This is carefully controlled to avoid damage to surrounding healthy tissues. You are unlikely to feel any pain during the procedure, although you may feel some pressure.
- Controlled disruption to affected cells or nerves: The applied heat causes localised tissue damage, forming lesions. In cancer treatment, this results in the destruction of malignant cells, while in pain management or cardiac procedures, it disrupts the targeted nerves or abnormal electrical pathways.
- Careful monitoring: Throughout the procedure, your vital signs and other key health indicators will be closely monitored at every stage to ensure that you're safe and that the procedure is effective.
04
After your treatment
You may be able to leave the facility soon after the procedure has taken place, although you will need someone to drive you home as the effects of anaesthetic wear off. Your consultant will be able to advise you on how to manage your recovery and when you can get back to your usual daily routines. This is likely to be within a few days.
You may experience some pain following the procedure due to residual spasms from muscles and the site of the ablation. Your healthcare team will discuss how to manage any discomfort, as well as advising any painkilling medication you may need.
You may experience some pain following the procedure due to residual spasms from muscles and the site of the ablation. Your healthcare team will discuss how to manage any discomfort, as well as advising any painkilling medication you may need.
05
Follow-up and ongoing care
Our teams are here to support you throughout your recovery, so you can rest assured you will be in safe hands at every stage.
Where can I have my RF ablation procedure?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants can help you, from initial consultation through to your ablation procedure and aftercare. You’ll be able to have your RF ablation procedure at the following locations:
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
RF ablation FAQs
RF ablation is recommended for individuals facing specific medical challenges where traditional treatments may be limited. These include:
Pain management
RF ablation can be effective for chronic pain that cannot be managed through medication or physiotherapy, including facet joint pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, or sacroiliac pain near the hips. It's also helpful for those experiencing pain in the back, neck or knee; cancer pain; and facial pain, known as trigeminal neuralgia .
Cardiac ablation
People with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that causes a sudden, rapid heartbeat, may benefit from cardiac RF ablation when medications fail to control the condition.
Cancer treatment
RF ablation is used extensively in oncology to destroy cancerous cells – especially where tumours are difficult to access or where surgery carries significant risks. It is particularly effective in treating some liver, lung and kidney tumours that cannot be treated with conventional surgery.
Pain management
RF ablation can be effective for chronic pain that cannot be managed through medication or physiotherapy, including facet joint pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, or sacroiliac pain near the hips. It's also helpful for those experiencing pain in the back, neck or knee; cancer pain; and facial pain, known as trigeminal neuralgia .
Cardiac ablation
People with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that causes a sudden, rapid heartbeat, may benefit from cardiac RF ablation when medications fail to control the condition.
Cancer treatment
RF ablation is used extensively in oncology to destroy cancerous cells – especially where tumours are difficult to access or where surgery carries significant risks. It is particularly effective in treating some liver, lung and kidney tumours that cannot be treated with conventional surgery.
If you've had RF ablation for pain management, you may well find that pain relief is immediate. However, it can also take up to three weeks for the pain signals to be destroyed. The effects of the ablation can last up to a year and, for some people, a few years. This will depend on the type of pain you were experiencing and its severity.
Around six to twelve months after the procedure, it’s possible for treated nerves to regrow, causing pain to resurface. If this happens, RF ablation can be repeated.
We performed over 3,300 catheter ablations between 2020 and 2024, with a 99.4% success rate for all ablations, including RF ablations. In some cases, the treatment might need to be repeated or other treatments for heart arrhythmias might be required. Your cardiologist may want you to remain on medications to help control your heartbeat, for example.
The main risk is bleeding or infection where the probe or catheter was inserted into the body, but this is rare. Some people experience temporary numbness, swelling or bruising at the insertion site.
As with any type of procedure, infection, a reaction to the anaesthesia or medications, and nerve damage are potential risks. There may be other risks to be aware of, depending on your specific medical condition. Discuss any concerns with your consultant prior to the procedure.
Before your procedure, you’ll be given further information about how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect on the day, including any diagnostic tests and local anaesthetic.
Our patients' stories
Chris's story: Atrial fibrillation
Since he was a teenager, Chris (now 44) had suffered from an irregular heartbeat. Whenever his heart would beat too fast, he was told he was having a panic attack.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
“When I met Dr Sohaib, I knew instantly he was the right man for the job. He assured me it would all be all right.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.