2. Academic Validation
  3. Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation

Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation

  • Heart Fail Clin. 2016 Apr;12(2):205-21. doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2015.08.017.
Muhammad Rizwan Sardar 1,  Wajeeha Saeed 2,  Peter R Kowey 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Cardiology, Cooper University Hospital, 3rd Floor Dorrance, One Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA; Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Electronic address: rizwansardar@hotmail.com.
  • 2 Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY 10457, USA.
  • 3 Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA.
PMID: 26968666 DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2015.08.017
Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered arrhythmia. Prevalence increases with advancing age and so as its associated comorbidities, like heart failure. Choice of pharmacologic therapy depends on whether the goal of treatment is maintaining sinus rhythm or tolerating AF with adequate control of ventricular rates. Antiarrhythmic therapy and conversion of AF into sinus rhythm comes with the side effect profile, and we should select best antiarrhythmic therapy, individualized to the patient. New antiarrhythmic drugs are being tested in clinical trials. Drugs that target remodeling and inflammation are being tested for their use as prevention of AF or as upstream therapy.

Keywords

Antiarrhythmic; Atrial fibrillation; Cardioversion; Pharmacologic therapy; Prevention; Rate control; Rhythm control; Upstream therapy.

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