Objective To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided esophageal pacing catheter placement in the establishment of rat atrial fibrillation model and compare the effectiveness and safety with esophageal electrocardiogram-guided one. Methods Establish rat atrial fibrillation model via rapid atrial pacing with the guidance of esophageal electrocardiogram and ultrasound respectively. Results Compared with esophageal electrocardiogram-guided one, ultrasound-guided esophageal pacing catheter placement resulted in higher atrial fibrillation rate (80% VS 60%,P<0.05 ), mean catheter placement time (2.3±0.5min VS 5.3±0.9min,P<0.05), mean pacing threshold (0.35±0.048mV VS 0.57±0.057mV,P<0.05 ) and less extra muscular stimulation (11±0.8 VS23±0.9,P<0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided esophageal pacing catheter placement is an effective and safe method that can be used to establish rat atrial fibrillation model.