It can. In some patients AF comes back after the procedure. If this happens, your treatment is reviewed; medicines or a repeat procedure may be needed. The chance of it coming back varies from person to person; alongside the procedure, it is also important to control risk factors such as blood pressure, weight, alcohol and sleep apnoea.

How is this different from left atrial appendage (LAA) closure?

Ablation aims to restore a regular heart rhythm. Left atrial appendage closure does not correct the rhythm; it is a different procedure that aims to reduce the risk of stroke in some patients who cannot take blood thinners long term, and it is described on its own page of this site. Ablation does not by itself remove the risk of stroke, so the blood-thinner decision is still based on stroke risk.

In case of sudden chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, call 112.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

The area where the irregular signals of atrial fibrillation usually start is electrically isolated using catheters passed through the vein in the groin. The chest is not opened; the aim is to restore a regular rhythm and ease symptoms.

What is it?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a rhythm disorder in which the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, beat irregularly and fast. It can cause palpitations, breathlessness and tiredness, although some people have no symptoms. AF also increases the risk of stroke. The irregular electrical signals that cause AF most often start where the pulmonary veins, the veins that bring blood from the lungs, open into the left atrium. In catheter ablation, this area is electrically isolated from the rest of the atrium. This is called pulmonary vein isolation. Different types of energy can be used for the isolation: heat (radiofrequency), cold (cryo) or very short, high-voltage electrical pulses (pulsed field ablation). The doctor chooses the method according to the patient's situation. Prof. Dr. Barış Kılıçaslan performs catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in his clinical practice.

Who is it for?

Patients who have symptoms of AF, such as palpitations, breathlessness or tiredness
Especially in AF that comes and goes on its own (paroxysmal AF), it can be one of the first treatment options; in others it is usually considered when rhythm medicines have not worked well enough or cannot be taken because of side effects
It is also an option for selected patients with heart failure in which the heart's pumping strength is reduced; for every patient, the decision is made together with the patient, after talking through the possible benefits and risks

Before the procedure

Before the procedure, your rhythm and the structure of your heart are assessed with an ECG, a long-term rhythm recording with a Holter monitor and echocardiography; if needed, the left atrium is also examined with a CT scan. In patients who need it, especially those at higher risk of stroke, a scan is also done to make sure there is no clot in the atrium. This is done with transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), an ultrasound scan taken from inside the food pipe using a thin probe passed through the mouth, or with a CT scan. If you already take a blood thinner, it is usually not stopped for the procedure and is continued as your doctor advises. If you do not, you may need to start one a few weeks before. Do not decide on your own when to take or stop any medication. You will be asked not to eat or drink for a period before the procedure.

How is it done?

Access site: The procedure is usually done under sedation or general anaesthesia. Thin sheaths are placed in the vein in the groin and the catheters are advanced to the right atrium of the heart.
Crossing between the atria: A small passage is made through the thin wall that separates the two atria, and the catheters are guided into the left atrium.
Isolating the pulmonary veins: Energy (heat, cold or a pulsed electric field) is applied around the openings of the pulmonary veins into the left atrium. This stops irregular signals from this area from reaching the rest of the atrium.
Check and closure: The catheter is used to check that the veins are electrically isolated. The catheters are then removed and the access site is closed.

Recovery

After the procedure you are monitored for a while, and short bed rest is advised to protect the access site in the groin. You may have episodes of palpitations in the first months. These early episodes do not on their own decide the result of the procedure; your rhythm is followed at your check-ups. After discharge, call 112 if you have growing swelling or bleeding at the access site, sudden breathlessness or chest pain, difficulty speaking, a drooping face, sudden weakness in an arm or leg, or, in the weeks after the procedure, fever with chest pain or pain when swallowing. Your blood thinner is continued for at least two months after the procedure. After that, your doctor decides whether to continue it based on your personal risk of stroke, not on whether your rhythm has become regular.

Risks

Like every interventional procedure, this procedure has risks. The main ones are bleeding or bruising at the access site and fluid collecting around the heart (which sometimes needs to be drained with a needle). Rarely, a stroke can occur; also rarely, the food pipe or the nerve that controls the diaphragm can be affected. AF can come back after the procedure. If it does, your treatment is reviewed; medicines or a repeat procedure may be needed. Your possible benefits and risks are explained in detail by your doctor, according to your personal situation, at the consultation before the procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stop my blood thinner after ablation? Do not stop it on your own. A blood thinner is taken for at least two months after the procedure. After that, your doctor decides whether to continue it based on your personal risk of stroke, not on whether your rhythm has become regular.
Can AF come back? It can. In some patients AF comes back after the procedure. If this happens, your treatment is reviewed; medicines or a repeat procedure may be needed. The chance of it coming back varies from person to person; alongside the procedure, it is also important to control risk factors such as blood pressure, weight, alcohol and sleep apnoea.
How is this different from left atrial appendage (LAA) closure? Ablation aims to restore a regular heart rhythm. Left atrial appendage closure does not correct the rhythm; it is a different procedure that aims to reduce the risk of stroke in some patients who cannot take blood thinners long term, and it is described on its own page of this site. Ablation does not by itself remove the risk of stroke, so the blood-thinner decision is still based on stroke risk.

Medical content reviewed and approved by Prof. Dr. Barış Kılıçaslan. Last updated: 4 October 2026. Editor: Baran Zeydan (info@clinixcrm.app).