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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Joshua M Larned1, S Raja Laskar
1Division of Cardiology, Center for Heart Failure Therapy and Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in heart failure (HF) and worsens outcomes. This review examines current literature on AF and HF management, highlighting therapeutic impacts on both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in patients with heart failure (HF).
- AF presence correlates with increased HF symptom severity and poorer prognosis.
- AF complicates optimal HF management and may indicate advanced disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the relationship between AF and HF.
- To examine the impact of therapeutic interventions on both AF and HF management.
- To address controversies in restoring sinus rhythm and managing ventricular response in HF patients with AF.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- MEDLINE database was searched from 1966 to the present.
- Included studies were selected based on the strength of evidence.
Main Results:
- AF is a significant comorbidity in HF, associated with worse clinical outcomes.
- Therapeutic strategies for AF and HF management require careful consideration due to complex interactions.
- Optimal approaches for ventricular rate control and rhythm management in HF with AF remain areas of ongoing research.
Conclusions:
- AF significantly impacts HF prognosis and management complexity.
- Further research is needed to clarify optimal therapeutic strategies for AF in HF patients.
- Evidence-based guidelines are crucial for managing this complex patient population.
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