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Sammanfattning

Atrial fibrillation, the most common rhythm disorder, is often associated with symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath, resulting in impaired quality of life. The most serious complication is stroke, related to increased risk for thrombo-embolic complications. The condition is also associated with an increased risk for heart failure, premature death. Significant health-economic costs, with hospitalization as the main cost-driver have been demonstrated. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy has for many years been the only therapeutic option to prevent recurrences of symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Relapses are, however, common despite treatment. Transvenous catheter ablation has been shown to result in better quality of life and a lower risk for recurrence of atrial fibrillation when compared with antiarrhythmic drug treatment. During the procedure, the pulmonary veins are electrically isolated using heat-energy or freezing. The best results are achieved in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. More effective ablation techniques are under development.

MeSH