[The place of antiarrythmic drugs and rythm control in the treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in daily practice. Its incidence increases with age. It has been established that in this pathology there is self-aggravation with adverse electrical, functional, and structural remodeling of the atrial tissue. This remodeling can increase morbidity and mortality associated with atrial fibrillation. It has become increasingly clear that early checking of cardiac rhythm can stop this harmful remodeling. Several antiarrhythmia treatments have been demonstrated to be effective in cardioversion of arrhythmia and maintenance of the sinus rhythm. The therapeutic strategy depends on the degree of structural damage. Therapeutic trials and treatment selection take into account any possible cardiac side effects of the medications. The class IC antiarrhythmic agents are medications whose safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in patients with no underlying heart conditions. This article explores the advantages of maintaining the sinus rhythm using arrhythmics and the practical strategy of the pharmacological approach.

• Authors: Ph Chevalier
• Journal: Annales de cardiologie et d'angeiologie (Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris)) Vol. 58 Suppl 1 Pg. S42-6 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1768-3181 [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Traitement anti-arythmique de consolidation du rythme sinusal chez les patients avec fibrillation atriale: une stratégie à privilégier.
• PMID: 20103180 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

Topics

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (therapeutic use)
• Atrial Fibrillation (drug therapy)
• Decision Trees
• Humans
• Practice Guidelines as Topic