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Electrophysiological Assessment of Murine Atria with High-Resolution Optical Mapping
Published on: February 22, 2018
Atrial arrhythmias in heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction
Thomas A Dewland1, Babak Nazer2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Purpose Of Review:
Atrial arrhythmias are common among individuals with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This review describes management options for these arrhythmias and discusses emerging clinical data supporting catheter ablation.
Recent Findings:
Several recent clinical trials indicate that catheter ablation is superior to pharmacologic therapy for management of symptomatic atrial fibrillation in the setting of HFrEF. Restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm appears to have the greatest benefit with regard to ejection fraction improvement among individuals with a nonischemic heart failure etiology and minimal left ventricular fibrosis.
Summary:
A rhythm control strategy should be strongly considered in patients with HFrEF, especially when the atrial arrhythmia is symptomatic or is present at the time of a heart failure diagnosis. Catheter ablation may be the preferred strategy for maintenance of sinus rhythm in this patient population.
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