Atrial Fibrillation Ablation - Are we ready?

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in day to day practice. It contributes to morbidity in the form of heart failure and stroke and increased overall and cardiovascular mortality1. Moreover, no treatment of AF to date has resulted in a lower overall death rate. Anti arrhythmic therapy for AF may also contribute to increased mortality in this subgroup2. Even though AFFIRM investigators showed no apparent benefit from rhythm control, these results cannot be generalized to younger patients, more symptomatic patients and those with rheumatic valvular disease. Catheter ablation for the same seems to be an attractive approach.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• catheter ablation