title: Pharmacologic control of heart rate in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is associated with a resting heart rate in excess of age-matched subjects in sinus rhythm, and there is an additional steep rise in rate during exertion. This article reviews the factors responsible for this tachycardia, the pharmacologic agents commonly used for heart rate control, and the effects of atrial antiarrhythmic agents on the heart rate during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004077:Digoxin; D008274:Magnesium