Atrial fibrillation: epidemiology, prognosis and therapy

Minerva Med. 2011 Jun;102(3):187-207.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac tachyarrhythmia encountered in clinical practice affecting 1% of the population. It is characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation that can lead to embolic complications and reduction in cardiac output resulting in significant morbidity, mortality and a reduction in quality of life. The three major goals in the management of atrial fibrillation are rate control, prevention of thromboembolism and correction of rhythm disturbance. This article will review up-to-date thinking about strategies for achieving each of these fundamental goals of AF care, with an emphasis on new drugs such as dabigatran and dronedarone and emerging non-pharmacologic therapies such as catheter ablation and left atrial appendage exclusion. After many years with relatively few new treatments, the past few years have seen a number of exciting developments which will hopefully improve clinician's ability to improve the outcomes of patients with this chronic and troublesome condition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / analogs & derivatives
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Appendage
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / epidemiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Benzimidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Dabigatran
  • Dronedarone
  • Electric Countershock / methods
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors
  • Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Thromboembolism / prevention & control*
  • beta-Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • beta-Alanine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Benzimidazoles
  • beta-Alanine
  • Dabigatran
  • Dronedarone
  • Amiodarone