LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT OF ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION

In the past decade, catheter ablation techniques and implantable devic es have revolutionized the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, junct ional arrhythmias, and atrial flutter. For most patients presenting wi th atrial fibrillation (AF), the treatment available today is similar to that used a century ago, although nonpharmacologic strategies of th erapy have begun to emerge for selected cases. There have been importa nt recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of AF a nd its complications? and it may be possible to improve patient manage ment by refinement of the way in which current drugs are used.