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AFib Treatment Options
Early treatment is essential for overcoming AFib.
Your AFib Treatment Plan
Talk to an electrophysiologist (EP) to learn more about the best treatment option for you. Factors that may be considered in your AFib treatment plan include:
- The nature or cause of the arrhythmia (where it starts in your heart)
- The severity of the arrhythmia
- The severity of your symptoms
- Medications you take
- Your age, overall health, and personal and family medical history
- Other health problems you may have
AFib Medication
Most AFib patients are initially prescribed medications to restore their heart rhythm, manage the symptoms of AFib, or minimize their risk of stroke. Medications may cause unwanted side effects and may not work for everyone.
AFib Rate Control Heart Medications
- Calcium channel blockers- interrupts the movement of calcium into your heart and blood vessel tissues to slow your heart rate
- Beta blockers- slows your heart rate, relax your blood vessels and make it easier for your heart to pump blood
AFib Rhythm Control Heart Medications
- Sodium channel blockers - slows the electrical conductivity of your heart to improve rhythm problems.
- Antiarrhythmic medication - works to restore and/or maintain normal sinus rhythm
Blood Thinners
- Anticoagulant medication - reduces the risk of blood clots and stroke
Cardioversion
A cardioversion is a controlled low-dose shock to the heart to convert abnormal rhythm to sinus rhythm. It is typically performed under sedation in a hospital setting such as an emergency room, intensive care unit, recovery room, special procedure room or electrophysiology lab. Oftentimes, your AFib may return after a cardioversion.
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is recommended by the American College of Cardiology, the Heart Rhythm Society and the American Heart Association for patients when medication proves to be unsuccessful. Catheter ablation is a procedure to restore the heart’s incorrect electrical signals which cause an abnormal heart rhythm.
Most patients who receive catheter ablation treatment experience a long-term reduction in the number of episodes of arrhythmia and the severity of symptoms and feel an improvement in their quality of life.2
Is Catheter Ablation Right for Me?
* Success defined as freedom from any atrial arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia) 12 months post-procedure when operator remained in the preset contact force range. Further sub-analysis showed that when the contact force was within investigator-selected range ≥85% of time, success was increased by 21% to 88% (≥85%: n = 32; <85%: n = 73).
1. Calkins et al. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. 2009; 2:349-361
2. Hugh Calkins, Gerhard Hindricks, Ricardo Cappato, et al. 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter ablation and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. 2017.
3. Natale A, Reddy VY, Monir G, Wilber DJ, Lindsay BD, McElderry HT, Kantipudi C, Mansour MC, Melby DP, Packer DL, Nakagawa H. Paroxysmal AF catheter ablation with a contact force sensing catheter: results of the prospective, multicenter SMART-AF trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2014 Aug 19;64(7):647-56.
THERMOCOOL® Catheters are approved for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, when used with CARTO® 3 Systems (excluding NAVISTAR® RMT THERMOCOOL®Catheter).Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
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