Atrial fibrillation is the single most common heart rhythm abnormality that we treat. It is a very rapid, disorganized rhythm involving the top chambers of the heart. There may be a range of symptoms, including palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness and heart failure.
The first line therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation is medical therapy.
A number of medications are available that can assist in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The medications fall into three categories:
The rate control strategy involves controlling the symptoms and potential complications of atrial fibrillation. In this strategy, medications are administered to control the fast heart rate that is usually observed during atrial fibrillation and to reduce the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. Medications to control the heart rate in atrial fibrillation include beta-blockers, calcium blockers and digoxin. The medications are often used for other types of heart disease, but can also help slow the rate while an episode of atrial fibrillation is occurring.
Not everyone with atrial fibrillation needs powerful medications to prevent episodes of stroke, but many patients do. In patients with a significant risks for stroke, an oral blood thinner called warfarin (coumadin) may be prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke. In other patients, aspirin or heparin may be used to help with episodes of atrial fibrillation.
The rhythm control strategy involves maintaining the rhythm in its normal state, called sinus rhythm. This is usually done by the administration of antiarrhythmic medications. A number of medications are available that may prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation. This group of medications called anti-arrhythmic drugs can be effective, but also have side effects. These side effects need to be carefully monitored by your physician to be sure the medications are helping, rather than hurting.
In addition to medical therapy for rhythm control, there are potentially curative procedures that involve catheter ablation done in the Electrophysiology suite or surgery.
Contact
For more information regarding
atrial fibrillation and medical therapies available at the Center for
Atrial Fibrillation, call the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at (866) 662-8467, or request an appointment online.
