What Is Rhythm Control for Atrial Fibrillation?
Rhythm control is a treatment strategy used to manage atrial fibrillation (AFib). The goal is to restore a normal heart rhythm, known as sinus rhythm, and help maintain that rhythm over time.
Depending on your symptoms, medical history, and overall treatment plan, your healthcare provider may recommend short-term (acute) rhythm control, long-term rhythm control, or a combination of both approaches.
Acute Rhythm Control
In some situations, it is important to restore a normal heart rhythm as quickly as possible. This is known as acute rhythm control and is often accomplished through a procedure called cardioversion.
There are two primary types of cardioversion:
Electrical Cardioversion
Electrical cardioversion uses a controlled, low-energy electrical shock to reset the heart and restore a normal rhythm. The procedure is performed in a clinical setting while you are under sedation, so you do not feel pain during treatment.
Chemical Cardioversion
Chemical cardioversion uses antiarrhythmic medications administered through an intravenous (IV) line to restore normal heart rhythm. Unlike electrical cardioversion, this approach does not require sedation. These medications work by helping correct the abnormal electrical signals that cause AFib.
Long-Term Rhythm Control
After a normal rhythm has been restored, your healthcare provider may discuss strategies to help maintain it over the long term. Long-term rhythm control can reduce symptoms and help improve quality of life for some patients living with AFib.
Common long-term rhythm control options include:
- Oral antiarrhythmic medications taken at home
- Catheter ablation procedures
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a procedure designed to treat the abnormal electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation. During the procedure, specialized catheters are used to heat or cool targeted areas of heart tissue, creating small areas of scar tissue that interrupt the faulty electrical pathways responsible for AFib.
Catheter ablation is performed in a clinical setting by a heart rhythm specialist known as an electrophysiologist (EP). For many patients, this procedure can be an effective option for achieving and maintaining normal heart rhythm.
Talk With Your Care Team
The best rhythm control strategy depends on your individual health needs, symptoms, and treatment goals. Talk with your healthcare provider or electrophysiologist to determine which options may be right for you and whether a rhythm control approach should be part of your AFib treatment plan.