Pulmonary veins: Preferred site for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most challenging arrhythmias to treat. Many patients have to accept this disorder and the medications required. Nonpharmacologic therapies have emerged as alternative methods of treatment. However, technical difficulty, low success rate, high recurrence, and complications still are obstacles. Pulmonary veins as the most common trigger foci of paroxysmal AF are now the most interesting source of curative ablation. With more knowledge, technologies, techniques, and equipment, AF ablation is likely to be more successful. This article introduces some exciting aspects of pulmonary vein ablation, including our hope to cure AF in some selected patients. (Heart Lung® 2002;31:271-8.)