Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.5K

Atrial Fibrillation Management: A Comprehensive Review with a Focus on Pharmacotherapy, Rate, and Rhythm Control

Jordan L Lacoste1, Thomas W Szymanski2, Juan Carlo Avalon3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, WVU Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. Jordan.Lacoste.m@wvumedicine.org.

American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs : Drugs, Devices, and Other Interventions
|March 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) management focuses on stroke prevention and symptom control. Newer evidence supports rhythm control strategies for newly diagnosed AF patients, potentially reducing adverse cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia with increasing incidence due to aging populations and comorbidities.
  • AF significantly impacts patient quality of life and increases healthcare resource utilization.
  • Effective management is crucial to mitigate these adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of atrial fibrillation management.
  • To detail the pharmacotherapy for rate and rhythm control strategies in AF.
  • To discuss newer data on rhythm control efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on AF management and pharmacotherapy.
  • Analysis of historical and recent clinical data regarding rate and rhythm control.
  • Examination of strategies for modulating AF-promoting factors.

Main Results:

  • Rate control using beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers has been a traditional initial strategy.
  • Emerging data indicate rhythm control with antiarrhythmics or ablation may reduce adverse cardiovascular events, especially in new-onset AF.
  • Holistic management includes addressing AF-promoting factors.

Conclusions:

  • Rhythm control strategies show promise for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in newly diagnosed AF.
  • Pharmacotherapy for both rate and rhythm control remains central to AF management.
  • Comprehensive management, including lifestyle modifications, is essential for patients with AF.

More Related Videos

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

83.9K
Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation11:21

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: May 29, 2015

19.8K

Related Concept Videos

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
130
Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias

Nursing management of dysrhythmias involves the following:AssessmentSubjective Assessment:The initial step involves gathering patient-reported symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and chest discomfort. It is crucial to collect a detailed history, including previous heart conditions, current medication use, and lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption.Objective Assessment:This involves observing clinical signs such as jugular venous distention, cool and pale skin, and...
122
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
189
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
1.1K
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
937
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
1.3K