Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 1, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Treatment Options in AF Patients with Cancer; Focus on Catheter Ablation
Silvia Garibaldi1, Michela Chianca2, Iacopo Fabiani1
1Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Longer life expectancy along with advancements in cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF) therapies and treatment strategies have led to an increase in the number of individuals with both diseases. As a result, the complicated management of these patients has become crucial, necessitating individualised treatment that considers the bi-directional relationship between these two diseases. On the one hand, giving appropriate pharmaceutical therapy is exceptionally difficult, considering the recognised thromboembolic risk posed by AF and malignancy, as well as the haemorrhagic risk posed by cancer. The alternative pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation, on the other hand, has been inadequately explored in the cancer patient population; there is yet inadequate data to allow the clinician to unambiguously select patients that can undertake this therapeutic intervention. The goal of this review is to compile the most valuable data and supporting evidence about the characteristics, care, and therapy of cancer patients with AF. Specifically, we will evaluate the pharmaceutical options for a proper anticoagulant therapy, as well as the feasibility and safety of PVI in this population.
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

