[Catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation]

Abstract

During the last years catheter ablation has become the treatment of choice for patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation that is symptomatic and resistant to pharmacologic therapy. The cornerstone of the procedure is complete electrical isolation of pulmonary veins that is achieved by creation of series of lesions in the pulmonary vein adjancent atrial tissue. In patients with persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation the isolation is accompanied by more extensive modification of arrhythmogenic substrate within the atria. The success rate in prevention of recurrences of atrial fibrillation ranges between 70-90%. Despite the significant progress catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation remains a complex procedure that is associated with the risk of severe complications.