title: [In recurrent atrial fibrillation should a sinus rhythm always try to be maintained? How?].
abstract: This paper presents the therapeutic options for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In the majority of patients, sinus rhythm should be maintained in order to improve cardiac function and decrease the risk of systemic embolism. Therapeutic options include serial pharmacological agents (with repeated external cardioversion) or non-pharmacological therapy: catheter or surgical ablation and atrial pacing.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa. j.r.sousa@mail.telepac.pt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Sousa
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants
vernacular_title: Na fibrilhação auricular recorrente, deve a manutenção do ritmo sinusal ser sempre tentada? Como?