Atrial fibrillation: the role of atrial defibrillation.
Dual defibrillator implantation represents an emerging option to treat patients with drug refractory atrial fibrillation. Atrial antitachycardia pacing and cardioversion have been demonstrated to be highly effective in treating spontaneous tachyarrhythmias and may reduce atrial fibrillation burden by preventing atrial remodeling. Device implantation has been associated to improved quality of life and reduced hospitalization rate. Patient selection and tailored device programming are critical as regard to clinical outcome. Individual psychological profile analysis as well as underlying heart disease and atrial fibrillation clinical patterns represent the main drivers for the right strategy. Controlled studies are needed in order to define the subset of patients who can benefit more from device implantation.
Santini
Massimo
M
Department of Cardiology, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Via Martinotti 20, 00135 Rome, Italy. m.santini@rmnet.it
Ricci
Renato
R
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents