Minimally invasive procedure outperforms drugs for advanced atrial fibrillation

A minimally invasive heart procedure may be a better first-line treatment than medication for people living with advanced forms of atrial fibrillation, according to a major international clinical trial led by researchers at the University of British Columbia. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common and serious heart rhythm disorder that affects more than 50 million people worldwide, including about one million Canadians. It causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations, and significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and early death.