Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
The procedure to cauterize atrial fibrillation is called catheter ablation, with the primary technique being pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). 1
Primary Procedure Name and Technique
Catheter ablation is the standard term for the procedure that ablates abnormal electrical pathways responsible for atrial fibrillation 1
The core technique is pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), which targets the pulmonary veins as they are the predominant source of rapidly depolarizing arrhythmogenic foci that trigger AF 1
Radiofrequency energy is the most commonly used ablation modality, using heat to create scar tissue that blocks aberrant electrical pathways 1, 2
The cryoballoon technique has emerged as the most commonly used alternative to point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, particularly for paroxysmal AF 3
Surgical Alternative
The maze procedure is the surgical equivalent, which uses "cut-and-sew" techniques to isolate the pulmonary veins and create lines extending to the mitral annulus, right and left atrial appendages, and coronary sinus 1
Surgical ablation achieves freedom from AF in 75-95% of patients up to 15 years after the procedure, but is complex with significant mortality and complication risks 1
Surgical ablation should be considered in patients with symptomatic AF undergoing cardiac surgery for other indications 1
Important Clinical Context
Catheter ablation is recommended as second-line treatment after antiarrhythmic drug failure or intolerance, though it can be considered as first-line therapy in selected patients 1, 4
Success rates for catheter ablation range from 70-80% in selected patients with medically refractory AF, though recurrence rates remain 30-50% over the first year 1, 2
The procedure targets either the triggers (focal ablation of pulmonary veins) or creates linear ablation lesions in the left atrium to prevent AF propagation 1