Antiarrhythmic therapy following ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are often used after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF); the drugs employed vary, but most common are the drugs that were unsuccessful prior to ablation since it seems that the efficacy of AADs might substantially increase after catheter ablation of AF. AADs reduce early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias after AF catheter ablation, whereas they did not prevent arrhythmia recurrences occurring later. Several upstream therapies (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, corticosteroids and colchicine) have been tested with conflicting results. To date, there is no sufficient evidence to support the use of any upstream therapy after AF catheter ablation. Larger registries and controlled clinical trials in well-defined patient groups and with well-defined outcome parameters are required to further elucidate the role of AADs after AF ablation.

• Authors: Giuseppe Stabile, Assunta Iuliano, Alessia Agresta, Vincenzo La Rocca, Salvatore D'Ascia, Antonio De Simone
• Journal: Expert review of cardiovascular therapy (Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther) Vol. 11 Issue 7 Pg. 837-42 (Jul 2013) ISSN: 1744-8344 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23895027 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

Topics

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arrhythmias, Cardiac (prevention & control)
• Atrial Fibrillation (surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (methods)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Humans
• Secondary Prevention