Atrial fibrillation frequently coexists with heart failure, and these two chronic disease states often physiologically exacerbate one another. Clinical trials comparing rate versus rhythm control strategies have not demonstrated superiority with one strategy over the other, with pharmacologically based rhythm management. Since 1998, catheter-based ablation strategies for the treatment of atrial fibrillation have grown rapidly. Although prospective randomized trial data is lacking, observational cohort studies have demonstrated efficacy in patients with heart failure as well as recovery of myocardial systolic function and functional status in a significant proportion of patients undergoing ablation of atrial fibrillation.