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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial fibrillation: epidemiology, prognosis and therapy
H Rutzen-Lopez1, V Khanna, V Vkhanna
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
Minerva Medica
|May 20, 2011
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) management focuses on rate control, preventing blood clots, and rhythm correction. New drugs and therapies like catheter ablation offer improved outcomes for this common heart condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac tachyarrhythmia, affecting 1% of the population.
- AF leads to significant morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life due to embolic complications and decreased cardiac output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies for managing atrial fibrillation.
- To highlight advancements in pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for AF.
Main Methods:
- Review of up-to-date literature on atrial fibrillation management.
- Emphasis on new drugs (dabigatran, dronedarone) and emerging therapies (catheter ablation, left atrial appendage exclusion).
Main Results:
- Recent years have seen significant developments in AF treatment strategies.
- New pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options are becoming available.
Conclusions:
- Improved clinician ability to manage atrial fibrillation.
- Potential for better patient outcomes in this chronic condition.
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