Key Points

Afib is considered an emerging epidemic.

Afib greatly increases the risk of thromboembolic events and congestive heart failure, and places significant burden on both healthcare providers and the healthcare system.

Current long-term management strategies for Afib are far from ideal and there are unmet needs in treating this epidemic.

Afib is initiated and maintained by ectopic foci as well as by single- and multiple-circuit reentries.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective long-term treatment for Afib that is potentially curative, directly addressing the source of ectopic triggers by disconnecting the pulmonary veins and other aberrant electrical activity.

Recent technological advances and expert experience make the procedure safe and highly effective, which has been further increased through greater understanding of the pathophysiology of Afib.

Catheter ablation has a high success rate and its potential favorability over more standard pharmacological therapies has now been addressed in a total of four randomized clinical trials involving over 550 patients.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is associated with a low complication rate.

While not indicated for all patients with Afib, catheter ablation is receiving greater attention among both electrophysiologists and cardiologists as a preferred treatment approach in selected patients.