Treatments & therapies
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Treating atrial fibrillation (AFib) with pulsed field ablation (PFA)
What is AFib?
AFib is the most common heart rhythm problem in the United States. It happens when the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) beat out of rhythm. When this occurs, blood does not flow as well to the rest of the body. This can make your heart feel like it is racing, fluttering, or thumping.
Normal heartbeat
Your heart beats because of tiny electrical signals. These signals travel in a regular pattern, making the heart squeeze and pump blood through your body.
AFib heartbeat
In AFib, the heart’s upper chambers don’t beat normally. Instead, they quiver, sending irregular signals. This can slow blood flow and raise your risk of stroke.
Common AFib symptoms
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue or weakness
- Trouble with normal exercise and activities
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Dizziness or fainting
Even if you don’t feel symptoms, AFib can still be serious.
Why treat AFib early?
AFib is a condition that can get worse over time. If it is not treated, it can raise your risk of stroke, heart failure, and other serious health problems. Even episodes you don’t feel (sometimes called “silent AFib”) can still be dangerous.
Treating AFib early may help:
- Reduce symptoms and improve quality of life
- Lower your risk of stroke
- Slow disease progression
AFib treatment options
Your doctor may recommend one or more of these approaches:
- Catheter ablation to treat heart tissue causing AFib (minimally invasive)
- Medicines to help control heart rate or rhythm
- Blood thinners to prevent clots and reduce stroke risk
- Left atrial appendage occlusion, a device-based procedure to lower stroke risk
- Cardioversion to reset the heartbeat with medicine or a mild shock
- Pacemakers or defibrillators to manage rhythm and detect episodes
- Open-heart surgery to stop abnormal signals (used in rare cases)
- Lifestyle changes to manage risk factors like high blood pressure or sleep apnea
Talk to your doctor today to learn more and discuss which treatment option may be right for you. Not every person will receive the same results.
How cardiac (catheter) ablation treats AFib
Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a heart rhythm specialist, called an electrophysiologist, to treat AFib. A key part of the procedure is pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), which blocks signals from the pulmonary veins that often trigger AFib.
There are different ways to do cardiac ablation to treat AFib. Some use heat (called radiofrequency), and others use cold (called cryoablation). A newer method, called pulsed field ablation (PFA), uses short bursts of electricity to target the heart cells causing AFib. This helps protect the healthy parts of your heart.
Your cardiac ablation procedure
Your doctor will explain the procedure in detail, but here’s a general overview of what to expect.
Before
You may need to stop eating after midnight and adjust your medications.
During
The electrophysiologist guides a thin tube (catheter) into your heart to treat the areas causing AFib.
After
Most people go home and feel better within a few days. After your procedure, it’s important to limit physical activity while your body recovers.
Cardiac ablation is generally safe and effective. Like any procedure, it carries risks such as bleeding or infection. Talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you.
Benefits of PFA
PFA is a new way to perform cardiac ablation. It uses short bursts of electrical energy — not heat or cold — to target the heart cells causing AFib. This helps reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
Sphere-9™ catheter
FDA approved in 2024, the Sphere-9™ catheter is part of the Affera™ mapping and ablation system. It combines two types of energy — PFA and radiofrequency (RF) — in one device. This gives your doctor more flexibility to personalize your treatment based on your specific needs.
PulseSelect™ PFA system
FDA approved in 2023, the PulseSelect™ PFA system delivers short bursts of electrical energy to treat only the areas of the heart causing AFib. Because it uses nonthermal energy (not heat or cold), it can target problem areas in the heart while helping reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
Other Medtronic ablation technologies
Arctic Front™ cryoablation system
FDA approved as a first‑line ablation treatment for AFib, the Arctic Front™ cryoballoon system uses cryotherapy to freeze and treat areas of the heart causing irregular rhythms. This minimally invasive treatment option has been trusted by doctors worldwide.
Freezor™ and Freezor™ Xtra cryoablation catheters
As the only FDA-approved treatment for pediatric AVNRT, Freezor™ and Freezor™ Xtra cryoablation catheters use targeted cryotherapy to safely treat irregular heart rhythms in children.
Patient stories
Hear patients share how cardiac ablation helped them regain control of their heart rhythm.
Not every person will receive the same results. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that treats AFib. A thin tube (called a catheter) is guided to your heart to deliver energy that targets the cells causing irregular heartbeats.
PFA uses short bursts of electrical energy — not heat or cold — to target the heart cells causing AFib. This helps reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
Cardiac ablation is generally safe and effective when medications don’t work. Like any procedure, there are risks such as bleeding or infection. Talk to your doctor to learn what’s right for you.
Yes. The Sphere-9™ catheter, PulseSelect™ PFA system, Arctic Front™ cryoablation system, and Freezor™ and Freezor™ Xtra cryoablation catheters are FDA approved for treating AFib.
Patient resource
Information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options.