Partial federal government shutdown
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
Catheter ablation procedures for supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT), including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation
Catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat some types of heart arrhythmias (variations from a normal heartbeat). The procedure is typically performed in a catheter lab and involves guided insertion of catheters from the arm, groin, or neck through the blood vessel and into the heart. In radiofrequency catheter ablation, radiofrequency energy is sent through the catheters to a focal point in the heart that is believed to be the source of the arrhythmia; this energy ablates (destroys) very small areas of the heart to disrupt conduction of abnormal electrical activity.
Status: Review in progress
Why is catheter ablation for SVT being reviewed?
The HCA has selected ablation therapies for supraventricular tachyarrhythmia including atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation for review. The topic was nominated based on high levels of concern around efficacy and cost, and on medium levels of concern around safety.
Primary criteria ranking
- Safety = Medium
- Efficacy = High
- Cost = High
Documentation
| Type | Materials |
|---|---|
| Assessment (2026) | |
| Update literature (2025) | |
| Assessment (2013) |
Assessment timeline
- Draft key questions published: October 29, 2025
- Public comment period: October 29 to November 12, 2025
- Final key questions: November 23, 2025
- Draft report published: March 9, 2026
- Public comment period: March 9 to April 8, 2026
- Final report published: May 13, 2026
- HTCC public meeting: June 12, 2026
- Draft findings and decision published: June 18, 2026
- Public comment period: June 18 to July 2, 2026
- Final findings and decision published: September 23, 2026
All future dates are estimates and subject to change.