Research: Catheter Ablation Best for Heart Failure Patients with Afib

Using catheter ablation to treat atrial fibrillation (Afib) in patients who also have heart failure is more effective than using the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone (Pacerone, Cordarone), according to a study presented earlier this year at the American College of Cardiologys annual meeting. The study found that ablation reduced the recurrence of Afib episodes better than amiodarone, and reduced the rates of hospitalizations and mortality more effectively than the widely used Afib drug.