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Updated: May 7, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Ventricular rate control of atrial fibrillation in heart failure
Michiel Rienstra1, Isabelle C Van Gelder
1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30.001, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In the last few years, there has been a major shift in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the setting of hear failure (HF), from rhythm to ventricular rate control in most patients with both conditions. In this article, the authors focus on ventricular rate control and discuss the indications; the optimal ventricular rate-control target, including detailed results of the Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: a Comparison Between Lenient versus Strict Rate Control II (RACE II) study; and the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options to control the ventricular rate during AF in the setting of HF.
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