Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Due to Congenial Heart Disease

Robert N Kerley1, Charmaine Lam2, Anne Marie Valente3

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation is increasingly common in adults with congenital heart disease, especially those with heart failure. This review examines managing these conditions in this growing patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Atrial arrhythmia is a frequent complication in adults with congenital heart disease.
  • The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is rising in aging populations, particularly with coexisting heart failure.
  • Pathophysiology is linked to congenital defects, shunts, surgical repairs, and hemodynamic issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the management strategies for atrial fibrillation in adult congenital heart disease patients.
  • To discuss the interplay between atrial fibrillation and heart failure in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on adult congenital heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure management.
  • Synthesis of current evidence and clinical guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Atrial fibrillation management in adult congenital heart disease requires tailored approaches.
  • Heart failure complicates atrial fibrillation treatment and vice versa.
  • Understanding the underlying congenital defect is crucial for effective management.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of atrial fibrillation and heart failure in adult congenital heart disease is essential.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate pathophysiology and optimize treatment.
  • Multidisciplinary care is vital for this complex patient group.

Related Concept Videos

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:28

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...
884
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.5K
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.3K
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
882
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
505
Development of the Heart01:27

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...
848