MEDICAL-TREATMENT OF ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION IN THE HEALTHY HEART

Citation
P. Beaufils et R. Slama, MEDICAL-TREATMENT OF ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION IN THE HEALTHY HEART, La Presse medicale, 24(16), 1995, pp. 779-782
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
Journal title
ISSN journal
07554982
Volume
24
Issue
16
Year of publication
1995
Pages
779 - 782
Database
ISI
SICI code
0755-4982(1995)24:16<779:MOAITH>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Whatever the cause and clinical features, establishing the strategy fo r the medical treatment of atrial fibrillation, requires three basic s teps. First sinus rhythm must be restored, followed by the prescriptio n of antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent recurrence and finally the use of anticoagulants. Obviously the underlying heart disease has a major ef fect on the patient's tolerance of atrial fibrillation, the risks of p eripheral embolism and overall mortality. In patients with ''solitary atrial fibrillation'' and an apparently normal heart, each step of the treatment must be examined in light of the individual patients clinic al situation and the risks of haemorrhage with anticoagulants as well as the risk of lethal ventricular arrhythmia due to the arrhythmogenic effect of class Ia or 1c antiarrhythmic drugs.