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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
[Atrial fibrillation: epidemiologic stakes, definition, and economic aspects]
A Da Costa1, C Roméyer-Bouchard, L Bisch
1Service de Cardiologie, Hôpital Nord, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France. dakosta@aol.com
Insights
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder linked to stroke and heart failure. Understanding its definitions, epidemiology, and economic impact is crucial for effective patient management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology and Electrophysiology
- Public Health and Epidemiology
- Health Economics
Context:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) represents the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia.
- AFib significantly contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Associated risks include stroke and heart failure.
Purpose:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of Atrial Fibrillation.
- To discuss key aspects including definitions, epidemiology, and economic burden.
- To aid clinicians in understanding and managing AFib.
Summary:
- This review covers the definitions, epidemiological significance, and economic impact of Atrial Fibrillation.
- It highlights the challenges in evaluating and treating this common arrhythmia.
- The article aims to enhance clinical understanding and patient care strategies.
Impact:
- Improved clinical recognition and management of Atrial Fibrillation.
- Enhanced understanding of the public health and economic implications of AFib.
- Facilitation of better therapeutic approaches for patients with AFib.
Abstract:
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. Morbidity and mortality are essentially related to stroke and heart failure. Despite a long history of medical exploration of AFib, many aspects deserve to be considered including AFib definitions, epidemiologic stakes and economic burden posed by AFib. Such aspects are integral part of the evaluation, and accordingly both clinical and therapeutic AFib patients approach. Through this article these various aspects were raised in order to help the clinician to better understand this arrhythmia which is generally easy to identify but often delicate and complex to treat.
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