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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

[Digitalis in atrial fibrillation. Still relevant treatment or an old-fashioned therapy?]

K Gjesdal1

  • 1Medisinsk klinikk, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.

Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke
|March 20, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Digitalis is not a satisfactory routine treatment for atrial fibrillation. It fails to control heart rate during exercise and may cause proarrhythmia and prothrombotic effects, lacking documented benefit in paroxysmal cases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) management
  • Digitalis efficacy and safety

Purpose:

  • Evaluate the scientific validation of digitalis for AF treatment
  • Assess digitalis's limitations in rate control and potential adverse effects

Summary:

  • Digitalis inadequately controls ventricular rate during exercise in AF patients, often requiring additional medications.
  • The benefit of digitalis in paroxysmal AF is not well-documented.
  • Digitalis may induce proarrhythmias and potentially has a prothrombotic effect.

Impact:

  • Challenges the routine use of digitalis in AF.
  • Highlights the need for alternative or adjunctive therapies for comprehensive AF rate control.
  • Underscores the importance of considering digitalis's adverse effect profile in clinical practice.

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