Atrial fibrillation is the most common
arrhythmia in the general population and is frequently associated with organic
heart disease.
beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (b-blockers) are very effective in preventing
atrial fibrillation after
coronary artery bypass surgery. It has been shown recently that the beta-blocker
metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) is also effective in maintaining sinus rhythm after conversion of
atrial fibrillation. There is concern that class I
antiarrhythmic drugs, such as
quinidine,
disopyramide, and
flecainide in particular, may increase mortality. The risk of proarrhythmia associated with beta-blocker treatment is very low. Therefore b-blockers, such as
metoprolol CR/XL, may be the first line of treatment to maintain sinus rhythm, especially after
myocardial infarction and in patients with chronic
heart failure and in those with arterial
hypertension. In patients with
persistent atrial fibrillation, AV-nodal conduction-slowing drugs, such as
calcium channel antagonists and beta-blockers are used to control the ventricular rate during
atrial fibrillation. Several studies clearly show that beta-blockers alone, or in combination with
digoxin are very effective in controlling the ventricular rate at rest and during exercise. beta-blockers are effective in maintaining sinus rhythm and controlling the ventricular rate during
atrial fibrillation. Given these effects and their favorable effects on mortality, beta-blockers should be considered as first-line agents in the management of patients with
atrial fibrillation.