Inducing apoptosis of atrial myocytes to treat atrial fibrillation

摘要

The present invention relates to methods for treating atrial fibrillation. More specifically, highly active foci of atrial myocytes are identified and selectively heated to induce apoptosis of the arrhythmic foci. The methods generally involve heating the myocytes with a catheter for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to induce programmed cell death.