Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a procedure that uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart to block the faulty electrical signals and restore a typical heartbeat. The procedure is used to treat an irregular and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-fib) . Ablation may be used if medications or other treatments dont work, or it may be the first treatment for certain patients. The procedure is most often done using thin, flexible tubes called catheters inserted through the veins or arteries to the heart. Sometimes, ablation is performed during cardiac surgery. The procedure involves the use of energy, either through heat or freezing, to eliminate (ablate) the areas of heart muscle that are causing the heart to beat irregularly. By destroying the tissue causing the irregular heartbeat, ablation can restore and maintain normal heart rhythm without the use of medications.

Ablation may be more likely to work long-term if you have atrial fibrillation that has lasted for 7 days or less. It may be less likely to work long-term if you have more persistent atrial fibrillation. Ablation might be a good option for you if you have no other structural problems with your heart, and it also might be a good option for you if you have symptoms from your atrial fibrillation. However, the procedure carries a small risk of a major complication, and it may not permanently eliminate atrial fibrillation. Sometimes atrial fibrillation will come back shortly after the procedure or several months later[[2]](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/tr...