STATE OF THE ART PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Abstract

Pharmacological therapy remains the primary approach to atrial fibrillation (AF). Management of all AF patients includes the decision on rate or rhythm control. The latter means antiarrhythmic drugs application that are being selected primarily by safety reasons and depend on individual characteristics of patients. The article presents a brief description of efficacy and safety of antiarrhythmics themselves and other drugs for sinus rhythm control in AF. Novel data shows possibility to decrease stroke risk and mortality, and to cease anticoagulation in more thorough sinus rhythm retention.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• antiarrhythmic drugs
• rate control
• rhythm control