Treatment and prevention of atrial fibrillation with non-antiarrhythmic pharmacologic therapy.
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent heart rhythm disturbances found in clinical practice. Anticoagulation, rate control, cardioversion, and ablative procedures have been the mainstay of treatment. The frequent recurrence of atrial fibrillation and the side effects when antiarrhythmic drugs are used have led to dissatisfaction with available treatment of this arrhythmia. Pharmacologic therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, and perhaps aldosterone and calcium channel blockers may have a role in the prevention of atrial fibrillation onset and recurrence. We summarize the possible biologic mechanisms and the clinical observations supporting the use of non-antiarrhythmic medications in the prevention of atrial fibrillation.
Lozano
Hector F
HF
Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida 33140, USA.
Conde
Cesar A
CA
Florin
Todd
T
Lamas
Gervasio A
GA
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists