Indications for Catheter Ablation in a Patient with Atrial Fibrillation

 

Usual indications for catheter ablation in a patient with atrial fibrillation:

(1) failure of drug therapy (adequate trial of one or more Class I or III antiarrhythmic agents) in a patient who is symptomatic

(2) intolerance to drug therapy in a patient who is symptomatic

(3) presence of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction or heart failure if clinically indicated

 

Rarely a patient with atrial fibrillation may undergo catheter ablation as first line therapy without attempting control using drug therapy.

 

Contraindications:

(1) left atrial thrombus (absolute)

(2) inability to anticoagulate the patient (relative)