Cardiac ablation, or cardiac radiofrequency ablation, is performed by applying local anesthesia to the inguinal region or the subclavian skin region at the base of the neck, inserting a catheter sheath in the femoral vein or in the subclavian vein, followed by inserting a long hose made of catheter through the sheath and guiding the catheter along the inferior or superior vena cava to the heart. The position and progress of the catheter is monitored at all times during the operation with the help of imaging technology. After the catheter enters the heart the specialized physician places the catheter into the area causing the arrhythmia and the physician locates the point of origin of the abnormal beat using a three-dimensional map of the heart and the catheter tip deactivates the ectopic point of origin by emitting heat or using freezing to deactivate the tissue in the area. In the case of atrial fibrillation ablation, electrical isolation between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium is performed.