Overview

Atrial fibrillation ablation is a treatment for an irregular and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-fib). It uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in your heart to block the abnormal electrical signals and restore a normal heartbeat.

Atrial fibrillation ablation may be used if medications or other treatments don't work. Sometimes it's the first treatment for certain patients.

Atrial fibrillation ablation is most often done using thin, flexible tubes called catheters inserted through the veins or arteries to the heart. Less commonly, ablation is performed during cardiac surgery.