The management of arrhythmias after AF ablation

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is being increasingly performed worldwide and, with the development of new technologies, the procedure has become safer and more effective after a single attempt. Post-ablation arrhythmia remains common, however, and can be challenging to manage. This review describes the types of arrhythmias seen, when they occur, and how they may be managed. It is particularly important that all health-care professionals are aware of this problem, its identification, and its management as patients will often present to a different hospital from the one at which the ablation was performed. Although many patients will not need further ablation, it is likely that they will need treatment with pharmacological therapy, cardioversion, or a combination of the two.