Mayo Clinic's approach
Cardiac catheter team performs an ablation.
A Mayo Clinic doctor performs a cardiac ablation procedure in the Electrophysiology Laboratory.
At Mayo Clinic, experts in heart rhythm problems provide compassionate, whole-person care to people considering atrial fibrillation ablation.
Experience you can trust
Cardiac ablation, including atrial fibrillation ablation, is performed by heart specialists (cardiologists) with special training in heart rhythm disorders (electrophysiologists). Mayo Clinic's skilled electrophysiologists working in the Electrophysiology Laboratory.
Mayo Clinic doctors perform every type of atrial fibrillation ablation procedure. Studies show there is a reduced risk of complications from cardiac ablation when the procedure is done by an experienced electrophysiologist in a hospital that performs many procedures.
A team approach
A doctor (right) works with an electrophysiology laboratory colleague to read a test result.
Mayo Clinic doctors are helping shape best practices for the treatment of atrial fibrillation worldwide. They participate in national and international meetings to develop treatment guidelines for atrial fibrillation. Mayo Clinic care providers and researchers have contributed to the understanding of arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment in important ways:
- First reported a relationship between sudden death with AV node ablation in people treated with atrial fibrillation ablation
- Described disease progression in people with atrial fibrillation and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Developed and tested new types of balloon devices to deliver cold energy (cryoablation) during catheter treatment for atrial fibrillation
- Developed new ways to diagnosis atrial fibrillation using cardiac catheterization, such as intracardiac ultrasound
Collaborative approach to care
At Mayo Clinic, electrophysiologists work closely with other experts, including cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, in the Heart Rhythm Clinic to understand your heart arrhythmia and recommend the treatment options that will work best for you. Doctors trained in treating children with heart conditions (pediatric cardiologists) work with a team of experts to care for children with arrhythmias at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. This team approach helps ensure that you receive exactly the care you need.
The most advanced treatment systems
Mayo Clinic doctors perform cardiac ablation procedures using the latest and most advanced technology.
The experienced staff uses advanced cardiac mapping systems, including multielectrode mapping and 3D heart mapping, during an electrophysiology (EP) study to decide where to accurately apply cardiac ablation treatment. This type of mapping combined with intracardiac echocardiography reduces the exposure to radiation.
Your care provider will choose the type of cardiac ablation that's best for you and your specific condition. Heat (radiofrequency) energy or cold (cryoablation) is applied using the latest innovations in treatment catheters and technology, such as balloon and robotic catheters.
Learning about irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Mayo Clinic patients learn about living irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Expertise and rankings
Mayo Clinic electrophysiologists are recognized as experts in their field who have made important contributions to the understanding of arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment. Each year, about 1,700 people have cardiac ablation at Mayo Clinic.
Nationally recognized expertise
Mayo Clinic campuses are nationally recognized for expertise in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery:
- Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for heart and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report.
- Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2023-2024 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
With Mayo Clinic's emphasis on collaborative care, specialists at each of the campuses — Minnesota, Arizona and Florida — interact very closely with colleagues at the other campuses and the Mayo Clinic Health System.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic's expertise and rankings in cardiovascular medicine.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals, or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.
Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.