[Non-drug treatment methods in ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation: high-frequency catheter ablation and catheter modification of the AV node].

AV nodal ablation with pacemaker implantation nor AV nodal modification is the therapy of the choice in patients with permanent or paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias. Both methods of treatment are limited to patients with drug refractory atrial tachyarrhythmias. Therapy indication requires the complete knowledge of the current clinical status and medical history of the patient regarding the time course of the disease and the results of previous treatments. Both methods are effective and palliative treatments which may not modify the underlying arrhythmias. Neither treatment showed an improvement in patients prognosis; therefore a restrictive indication is mandatory.