Heart rhythm procedure versus medication for atrial fibrillation

This trial is testing whether a minimally invasive heart procedure called pulmonary vein isolation is better than medication alone for treating atrial fibrillation in people whose heart muscle has been weakened by the irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, and over time this can damage the heart muscle itself. The study wants to see which approach — the procedure or medication — better prevents serious heart problems and hospitalizations.

When atrial fibrillation goes untreated for a long time, it can permanently damage and weaken the heart muscle, making the irregular heartbeat harder to control. Doctors want to know whether treating it with a procedure early on can prevent this damage and lead to better outcomes than managing it with medication alone.