Publication
Atrial fibrillation: rhythm control vs rate control
| Summary: | Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the clinical practice with increasing prevalence due to the population progressive aging. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially that arising from cerebrovascular accident and heart failure.The two main FA management concerns are to restore and/or maintain sinus rhythm with pharmacologic and/or electrical cardioversion, or to achieve satisfactory rate control, both with antithrombotic therapy.Some studies have reported similar reduction of morbidity and mortality when either of the treatments is applied.When choosing the appropriate treatment there are a few factors which must be taken into account such as the nature, intensity and frequency of symptoms, comorbid conditions, patient preferences and the response to the treatment.This review will therefore focus on the potential risks and benefits of these two strategies, identifying the better candidates for each strategy as well as showing the current guidelines about these issues. |
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| Main Authors: | Teixeira de Sousa, Maria Vânia |
| Other Authors: | Menezes Falcão, Luís |
| Subject: | Fibrilhação auricular controlo do ritmo controlo da frequência Atrial fibrillation rhythm control rate control |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | article |
| Associated institution: | Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Interna |
| Language: | Portuguese |
| Origin: | Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Interna |
| Summary: | Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the clinical practice with increasing prevalence due to the population progressive aging. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially that arising from cerebrovascular accident and heart failure.The two main FA management concerns are to restore and/or maintain sinus rhythm with pharmacologic and/or electrical cardioversion, or to achieve satisfactory rate control, both with antithrombotic therapy.Some studies have reported similar reduction of morbidity and mortality when either of the treatments is applied.When choosing the appropriate treatment there are a few factors which must be taken into account such as the nature, intensity and frequency of symptoms, comorbid conditions, patient preferences and the response to the treatment.This review will therefore focus on the potential risks and benefits of these two strategies, identifying the better candidates for each strategy as well as showing the current guidelines about these issues. |
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