Details.
A catheter procedure in which the AV node is destroyed using energy delivered through a catheter passed from the leg to the heart, disconnecting the atria from the ventricles. A pacemaker is implanted at least two weeks before the ablation and replaces the function of the AV node. The procedure is irreversible, leaves the atrial fibrillation in place and requires continued stroke prevention medication. The stated success rate for achieving heart rate control is 95%.
