Your next step
Discuss flutter ablation in Oxford
Dr Rohan Wijesurendra personally performs atrial flutter ablation. A consultation reviews the type of flutter, any associated AF, and the treatment options for your situation.
Indicative flutter procedure costs are around £9,800, or £10,450 when an anaesthetist is needed. Allow a further £520 for the listed initial consultation, follow-up, and ECG; other tests or care are extra. The exact price will be confirmed in writing before treatment.
Booking a consultation does not commit you to a procedure. Using insurance? Check authorisation and cover. For practical questions, contact the clinic team or see fees and costs.
Is flutter ablation right for you?
Dr Rohan Wijesurendra personally assesses patients for flutter ablation and performs the procedure. The first consultation reviews your ECGs, symptoms, previous treatment, and any associated atrial fibrillation (AF). We discuss ablation alongside alternatives such as medication or cardioversion before you decide.
The procedure described here treats typical right atrial flutter using radiofrequency energy to interrupt its electrical circuit. Other flutter patterns may need a different plan. For more about the diagnosis and treatment choices, see atrial flutter.
Benefits and expected results
The approximate unit estimates quoted in my patient information for eliminating typical flutter are over 90% success with one procedure and 100% if multiple procedures are undertaken. These are approximate unit estimates for counselling, not a guarantee of your individual result. A repeat procedure may be considered if flutter returns.
Treating flutter does not remove the future risk of AF. Your consultation gives an individualised assessment of the likely benefit, risks, and alternatives. Some heart-rhythm medication may no longer be needed after successful treatment, but changes must be agreed with your treating team. Anticoagulation is considered separately according to stroke risk and any associated AF; do not stop it on your own.
Planning your treatment
You can book an initial assessment, or contact Kayley if another clinician has already recommended ablation or you need help with arrangements. Booking a consultation does not commit you to a procedure. See what to prepare when already referred.
If ablation is suitable and you wish to proceed, the clinic confirms the hospital arrangements, exact quotation or insurance authorisation, and a mutually convenient treatment date. The live calendar shows consultation appointments; procedure dates are arranged separately.
For UK patients, a remote consultation may be offered where clinically suitable. International patients attend in Oxford for consultations as well as treatment. Read about travelling to Oxford for ablation before booking travel.
What happens on the day?
Flutter ablation is usually a day case, with sedation or general anaesthesia chosen for your circumstances. After local anaesthetic at the top of the leg, thin catheters are passed through a vein to the heart. X-rays help guide their position, and radiofrequency energy is applied to the flutter circuit in the right atrium.
The catheters are removed and pressure is applied to the puncture site. You recover in the Oxford Heart Centre day ward beside the catheter laboratories, with monitoring and a gradual return to sitting up. Once fully awake, you can eat and drink.
You will usually go home later that day, although an overnight stay may be needed. If you need to stay, the team will try to arrange a private room; a shared bay may be necessary if single rooms are unavailable.
Risks of flutter ablation
Temporary groin discomfort and some bruising are expected. The following are approximate counselling estimates from my patient information; your personal risk assessment is discussed at consultation.
| Potential complication | Approximate frequency |
|---|---|
| Bleeding or a collection of blood at the groin (haematoma) | 1% — 1 in 100 |
| Damage to a blood vessel | 0.5% — 1 in 200 |
| Bleeding around the heart (pericardial effusion), which may need a temporary drain | 0.5% — 1 in 200 |
| Requiring a permanent pacemaker | Less than 0.5% — fewer than 1 in 200 |
| Stroke | 0.05% — 1 in 2,000 |
| A fatal complication | Around 0.05% — around 1 in 2,000 |
These separate complication estimates should not be added together to calculate an overall risk. The procedure also involves X-rays; please tell the team if there is any possibility of pregnancy. Your specialist explains the precautions and balance of benefit and risk before consent.
Recovery and follow-up
Follow your individual discharge instructions. The usual advice in my flutter patient information is:
- Driving: DVLA guidance requires at least 48 hours without driving for car or motorcycle drivers after this type of ablation, provided no other condition prevents driving. I advise allowing 3–5 days for the groin puncture site to heal. Professional drivers need specific advice.
- Lifting: avoid heavy lifting for the same 3–5 day period, or longer if advised in your discharge instructions.
- Important documents: do not sign legal documents for 24 hours after sedation or general anaesthesia.
Discuss returning to work, exercise, medication, and follow-up with your team. Contact them about troublesome symptoms. Seek urgent help for severe or life-threatening symptoms rather than waiting for a routine clinic response.
Indicative flutter ablation costs
The consultant procedure fee is £1,400, with a hospital element of approximately £8,400. An anaesthetist fee of around £650 applies when needed. These procedure elements total approximately £9,800, or £10,450 with an anaesthetist, before consultation, follow-up, and ECG costs.
The exact price is confirmed in writing before treatment. See the full fees breakdown and exclusions or insurance information before making arrangements.
Related information
- Atrial flutter: diagnosis and treatment choices
- SVT ablation
- AF ablation
- Your next step with ablation
Specialist electrophysiology care
Dr Rohan WijesurendraConsultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist
Around 150 ablations per yearApproximate annual activity, as of October 2026. Career total: 1,500+ personally performed as of August 2026.
Oxford consultationsNuffield Health The Manor Hospital
NHS practiceAcademic & researchGMC registrationHospital profile