Procedure, Drugs Compared for Rhythm Flaw

A procedure works better than medicines to treat a common heart rhythm problem, a small new study finds. But the side effects can be serious. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat in an erratic, fast rhythm. This can increase the risk of clots and stroke. Medicines can slow the heart and prevent clots. If this doesn’t work, doctors may use ablation. This procedure uses a heated probe to burn a small area of the heart. Burning blocks the erratic electrical signals that cause the rhythm problem. The new study included 127 people who had just been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. They were randomly assigned to receive either medicines to slow the heart beat or ablation. In the next 2 years, 72% of the medicine group and 54% of the surgery group had atrial fibrillation that lasted at least 30 seconds. For many who got better, symptoms came back.