Interventional management of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Management of AF is challenging due to the modest efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug therapies, some of which have significant adverse effects or toxicity. Nonpharmacological treatment of AF, including AF ablation, has recently evolved as an attractive, efficacious and potentially 'curative' therapeutic modality in selected patients. This article reviews various interventional therapeutic options for the management of AF, appropriate patient selection and clinical implications.