Atrial Fibrillation

Treatment

Doctors trained in heart conditions (cardiologists), doctors trained in heart rhythm disorders (electrophysiologists), heart surgeons (cardiovascular surgeons) and other doctors collaborate to develop the most appropriate treatment plan for your condition.

Your doctors will work with you to determine your atrial fibrillation treatment, based on your symptoms and condition. Atrial fibrillation treatment goals include restoring your heart to a normal rhythm, regulating your heart rate and preventing blood clots.

Your treatment may include several options.

• Cardioversion. In cardioversion, your doctor may use paddles or patches on your chest to electrically shock your heart and help restore your heart's normal rhythm. Doctors also may use drugs to stop your heart's fast rhythm and restore a normal rhythm.
• Catheter radiofrequency ablation. In catheter radiofrequency ablation, your doctor inserts thin, flexible tubes (catheters) into a vein in your arm or groin and threads them through your blood vessels to your heart. Your doctor then applies heat (radiofrequency energy) through the catheter to destroy identified heart tissue causing your condition.

Your doctor sometimes may conduct atrioventricular (AV) node ablation. In this procedure, doctors use radiofrequency energy to destroy the electrical connection (AV node) between the upper and lower heart chambers (atria and ventricles), blocking the heart's electrical impulses. Once the AV node is destroyed, doctors then need to implant a pacemaker to establish a normal heart rhythm.

• Medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to control your heart rate or heart rhythm, or to prevent blood clots.
• Pacemakers. Your doctor may place a small medical device (a pacemaker) under your skin near your collarbone to help regulate your heartbeat.
• Surgery. If other treatment isn't effective, your doctor may recommend maze heart surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon makes small cuts in your upper heart chamber (atria) to help disrupt the electrical signals causing atrial fibrillation. Your doctors sometimes may access your heart and conduct surgery through small incisions in the side of your chest (minimally invasive heart surgery). Minimally invasive surgery leaves smaller, less noticeable scars than does open heart surgery, has a lower risk of infection and may involve less blood loss.
• Follow-up care. You'll need follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your heart rhythm and rate. You may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation.

Read more about cardioversion, cardiac ablation, pacemakers and cardiac rehabilitation at MayoClinic.com.