title: Modern management of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) continues to offer a management challenge to physicians. The incidence of this arrhythmia is rising and the cost to the healthcare system is vast. Much of this health burden relates to the high risk of stroke and thromboembolism associated with AF. This review covers common treatment strategies employed in AF management, discusses relevant drug therapy and the role of electrophysiology or surgery.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shanstila
authors.forename: Gregory Y H
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lip
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents