Research advances of the mechanism of atrial fibrillation and the effect of catheter ablation on left atrial structure and function for patients with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia.With the increasing number of elderly people, there are more and more patients with atrial fibrillation are diagnosed.Little is known about AF.If AF is intervented timely, it will be helpful for improving the quality of patients′ life.Some patients with AF, in particular with long standing persistent AF, their left atrium (LA) size would increase and left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) may decline.While, they will get profit by catheter ablation.This review is to illuminate the mechanism and the long-term result of catheter ablation. Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Mechanism; Catheter ablation; Prognosis