Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common heart arrhythmia. It is characterized by an irregular, often unusually rapid heartbeat in the heart’s upper chamber, called the atria. This condition causes reduced blood flow. It is more prevalent among the elderly. During atrial fibrillation, the atria beat out of coordination with the ventricles, which might require medical intervention to manage. Some of the best treatment options for atrial fibrillation are mentioned below:

• Electrical cardioversion
  Electrical cardioversion is a method that electrically resets the heart rhythm by sending low-energy electric shocks to the heart. This is the best treatment for AFib in the elderly. Before starting this procedure, the healthcare provider places electrocardiogram patches and adhesive cardioversion pads on the chest and back of the patient. Then, the patient is given anesthesia. During the procedure, the doctor uses the cardioverter machine or defibrillator to deliver an electric shock to the heart through the cardioversion patches on the body. The energy interrupts the abnormal electrical activity of the heart and restores the normal rhythm. This is only a temporary cure for atrial fibrillation.
• Cardiac ablation
  Cardiac ablation is a procedure that uses heat or cold energy to make minute scars in the heart muscle. This lesion disrupts the irregular electrical signals in the heart and restores normal heart rhythm. During cardiac ablation, a doctor inserts a flexible tube called a catheter through a blood vessel, usually in the patient’s groin, into the heart. In some cases, more than one catheter may be used. Then, cold or heat energy is applied to the cardiac muscles through the sensors on the tip of the catheter. There are three types of cardiac ablation procedures for treating atrial fibrillation.
• AV node ablation
  In AV node ablation, radiofrequency energy is applied to produce and transfer heat to the heart tissue at the AV node. This disrupts the electrical signal circuit. Once the procedure is complete, the doctor will implant a pacemaker that can regulate the patient’s heart rate if an arrhythmia arises later.
• Pulmonary vein isolation
  In pulmonary vein isolation, tiny lesions are made in the heart’s upper chamber, the atria, where the four pulmonary veins join. Here, heat from radio frequency energy or extreme cold creates scars in the target region and disrupts the irregular electric signals. Pulmonary vein isolation is performed to reduce the symptoms of atrial fibrillation, like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and tiredness.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Ablation
  In SVT ablation, cold or heat energy from high-frequency radio or laser light is used to make scars in the heart. This procedure may be the best option for children with supraventricular tachycardia and an increased risk of heart-related conditions. There are chances for the arrhythmia to return even after the treatment. In such a situation, the procedure may be repeated.
• Pulsed field ablation
  Researchers have developed a new method to treat atrial fibrillation. The latest treatment for Afib that has successfully passed various clinical trials is a safe alternative to cardiac ablation. The procedure is called pulsed field ablation. This irreversibly electroporates the heart tissues and treats atrial fibrillation. Pulsed field ablation uses electrical pulses to create nonthermal and irreversible electroporation that causes heart cell death.
• Pacemaker
  Pacemakers are devices that can support and correct the electrical signals of the heart when the heartbeat becomes out of rhythm. This is placed in the body by surgery. A pacemaker works to stabilize the abnormal heartbeat and prevent the onset of any problems that can endanger the patient’s life. The device delivers electrical impulses to correct the abnormal electrical signals of the heart when it detects an out-of-rhythm heartbeat.
• Left atrial appendage closure
  Left atrial appendage closure is a surgical or minimally invasive procedure that blocks the opening of the left atrial appendage, a small sac-like structure in the cardiac muscle wall of the left atrium. The left atrial appendage is either removed or sealed off to reduce the risk of stroke. In people with atrial fibrillation, the heart’s electrical impulses are not produced and transmitted in an orderly manner. This causes blood to collect on the left atrial appendage and form clots. Left atrial appendage closure eliminates this risk.
• MAZE or Cox-maze IV procedure
  A maze or Cox-maze IV procedure uses ablation to create scars in a specific pattern called a maze in the right and left atria. This disrupts abnormal electrical signals in the heart. The Cox-maze is the latest version of the traditional maze procedure.

The atrial fibrillation procedures aim to control the heartbeat, retain normal heart rhythm, and reduce the risk of stroke.