Is there a cure for permanent atrial fibrillation?

There is no cure for permanent atrial fibrillation at this time. When atrial fibrillation is permanent, no medicines or other treatments can help to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors may prescribe medications such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers to slow down the heart rate. These medications will allow the heart to pump at a more efficient rate. Other medications (blood thinners) are given to keep blood clots from forming and to prevent strokes. If every treatment fails, the doctor may recommend destroying the atrioventricular (AV) node. This is done using a procedure called radiofrequency ablation, which blocks conduction from the heart's atria to the ventricles and slows the rate of the ventricles. A pacemaker will be implanted into your chest near your left collarbone to activate the ventricles.