Atrial fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation Wednesday, October 5th, 2016Lancet, 18 August 2016
Atrial fibrillation affects 33 million individuals worldwide,and increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death; it also impairs quality of life. The goals of care in atrial fibrillation include the prevention of stroke, control of the ventricular rate, and minimisation of symptoms to improve quality of life. A three-part clinical Series summarises the priorities for prevention and best clinical management. The first paper examines the relationship between atrial fibrillation and stroke—with around a third of ischaemic strokes occurring where atrial fibrillation is present, there is a need for better screening for atrial fibrillation to assist stroke prevention efforts. Paper 2 examines the importance of control of heart rate in atrial fibrillation, and discusses therapeutic options including beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Paper 3 discusses rhythm control and the importance of re-establishing sinus rhythm in the management of atrial fibrillation, where catheter ablation may be effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Read more.