title: [Atrial fibrillation--from delirium cordis to therapeutic challenge].
abstract: Atrial fibrillation may develop in patients without (line atrial fibrillation) or with heart disease. Its prevalence raises with age. Medical or electrical cardioversion should be considered in view of the unfavourable hemodynamics and the increased risk of embolic events. Class-I antiarrhythmics given to sustain sinus rhythm after cardioversion are fraught with the risk of sudden death and should therefore be replaced by class-III antiarrhythmics. Control of heart rate in persisting atrial fibrillation is achieved best by digitalis glycosides at rest and by calcium channel blockers of the verapamil type or beta blockers during exercise. The risk of embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is reduced by mild oral anticoagulation and, probably to some extent, also by aspirin (300 mg daily). Ablation of the AV-node or an accessory pathway or heart surgery (maze procedure) may provide help in special cases.
authors: II. Medizinischen Abteilung, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Wien.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Slany
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stöllberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002423:Cause of Death; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants
vernacular_title: Vorhofflimmern--vom Delirium cordis zur therapeutischen Herausforderung.