Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive technique in which a small catheter (or tube) is threaded through a vein in the groin and up to the heart. Electrodes at end of the catheter detect faulty electrical sites. Energy is used to scar these sites to block the electrical impulses causing AFib. Catheter ablation's success rates for curing AFib vary between 30% to 80%, and follow-up procedures are sometimes necessary. On average, catheter ablation requires a two to three night hospital stay.

Risks involved with catheter ablation include:

Bleeding, swelling, or bruising where the catheter is inserted.
The formation of blood clots leading to stoke.
Infection or damage to the heart or blood vessels.