Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Med Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;103(5):835-846. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.04.004. Epub 2019 Jul 1.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and its management may be organized into risk stratification and/or treatment of heart failure, stroke prevention, and symptom control. At the core of symptom control, treatment is tailored to either allow AF continue with controlled heart rates, so-called rate control, versus restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm or rhythm control. Rate control strategies mainly use rate-modulating medications, whereas rhythm control treatment includes therapy aimed at restoring sinus rhythm, including pharmacologic and direct current cardioversion, as well as maintenance of sinus rhythm, including antiarrhythmic medications and ablation therapy.

Keywords: Antiarrhythmic drugs; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Pharmacologic management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Radiofrequency Ablation / methods*
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents