Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a viable therapeutic alternative in symptomatic patients resistant to antiarrhythmic drugs. Since the first report of catheter ablation a decade ago, several techniques have evolved. These techniques reflect principal mechanisms of AF. Besides segmental electrical isolation, circumferential ablation around the pulmonary venous ostia with a support of the 3D electroanatomical mapping system appears to be the most frequently used techniques. Some authors use various combinations of these techniques including guidance with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). Most recently, ablation within areas of fractionated electrograms during AF has been proposed. The aim of this review is to summarize briefly current techniques, their efficacy and safety