title: Radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Antiarrhythmic drugs are the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF); as a result, catheter ablation usually is not considered until a patient is experiencing symptomatic AF refractory to at least one antiarrhythmic medication or is intolerant to medical therapy. For these patients, catheter ablation is shown to be more effective than medical therapy for controlling AF. This article reviews catheter ablation and its indications.
authors.affiliation: Lauren Dorn practices in orthopedic spine surgery at LewisGale Physicians-The Spine Center in Salem, Va. Adeline Kranzburg practices in the medical, surgical, and neurologic ICUs at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Amy Saumell practices dermatology at Judith Crowell, MD, and Associates in Miami, Fla. Tanya Gregory and Suzanne Reich are assistant professors at Wake Forest School of Medicine. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kranzburg
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saumell
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reich
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents