According to the recommendations of the 2012 Heart Rhythm Society Task Force, developed in collaboration with several other international medical societies, the primary indication for a catheter ablation procedure is symptomatic atrial fibrillation that doesn't respond to antiarrhythmic medication. But some patients prefer to undergo catheter ablation first: some wish to avoid the adverse effects of medication4; others, especially younger patients, wish to avoid decades of drug therapy. Patients need to understand the risks and benefits of different approaches to atrial fibrillation management before deciding to undergo a catheter ablation.