The cornerstone of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is “pulmonary vein isolation” or PVI. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, takes several hours to complete, and patients usually stay overnight for observation. The goal of the procedure is to use heat or cold energy to prevent electrical impulses from entering the left atrium from the pulmonary veins. The success rate varies from patient to patient and the procedure can significantly decrease recurrences of atrial fibrillation.
