Management of atrial fibrillation: Ventricular rate control—Drugs vs. catheter ablation

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-72
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Maan ◽  
Moussa Mansour ◽  
Jeremy N Ruskin ◽  
E Kevin Heist ◽  
◽  
...  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, which is associated with substantial risk of stroke and thromboembolism. As an arrhythmia that is particularly common in the elderly, it is an important contributor towards morbidity and mortality. Ventricular rate control has been a preferred and therapeutically convenient treatment strategy for the management of AF. Recent research in the field of rhythm control has led to the advent of newer antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation techniques as newer therapeutic options. Currently available antiarrhythmic drugs still remain limited by their suboptimal efficacy and significant adverse effects. Catheter ablation as a newer modality to achieve sinus rhythm (SR) continues to evolve, but data on long-term outcomes on its efficacy and mortality outcomes are not yet available. Despite these current developments, rate control continues to be the front-line treatment strategy, especially in older and minimally symptomatic patients who might not tolerate the antiarrhythmic drug treatment. This review article discusses the current evidence and recommendations for ventricular rate control in the management of AF. We also highlight the considerations for rhythm control strategy in the management of patients of AF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-638
Author(s):  
Catalin Pestrea ◽  
Alexandra Gherghina ◽  
Irina Pintilie ◽  
Florin Ortan

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, with an increasing prevalence with the improvement in diagnosis. The best current treatment approach is catheter ablation (mainly isolation of the pulmonary veins), but this is ineffective in permanent atrial fi brillation. Rate control is frequently mandatory in these patients and the most effective technique is atrioventricular node ablation. But, since this procedure renders the patient pacemaker dependent, one should be very cautious with the pacing mode selected for long-term pacing. We present the case of a 45 year-old male with permanent atrial fi brillation and drug-refractory rapid ventricular rate and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, who underwent catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node and permanent selective His bundle pacing. Following the procedure, the patient went from a rapid, irregular rhythm to a controlled, regular rhythm without a change in QRS morphology. The follow-up after three months showed near complete recovery of the left ventricle and the disappearance of heart failure symptoms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Pragnesh Parikh ◽  
◽  
KL Venkatachalam ◽  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia noted in clinical practice and its incidence and prevalence are on the rise. The single most important intervention is the evaluation and treatment of stroke risk. Once the risk for stroke has been minimized, controlling the ventricular rate and treating symptoms become relevant. In this review article, we emphasize the importance of confirming and treating the appropriate arrhythmia and correlating symptoms with rhythm changes. Furthermore, we evaluate some of the risk factors for AF that independently result in symptoms, underlining the need to treat these risk factors as part of symptom control. We then discuss existing and novel approaches to rate control in AF and briefly cover rhythm control methods.


F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bond ◽  
Brian Olshansky ◽  
Paulus Kirchhof

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a difficult management problem. The restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm—rhythm control therapy—can markedly improve symptoms and haemodynamics for patients who have paroxysmal or persistent AF, but some patients fare well with rate control alone. Sinus rhythm can be achieved with anti-arrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversion, but the maintenance of sinus rhythm without recurrence is more challenging. Catheter ablation of the AF triggers is more effective than anti-arrhythmic drugs at maintaining sinus rhythm. Whilst pulmonary vein isolation is an effective strategy, other ablation targets are being evaluated to improve sinus rhythm maintenance, especially in patients with chronic forms of AF. Previously extensive ablation strategies have been used for patients with persistent AF, but a recent trial has shown that pulmonary vein isolation without additional ablation lesions is associated with outcomes similar to those of more extensive ablation. This has led to an increase in catheter-based technology to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation. Furthermore, a combination of anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation seems useful to improve the effectiveness of rhythm control therapy. Two large ongoing trials evaluate whether a modern rhythm control therapy can improve prognosis in patients with AF.


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