title: Management of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation affects a significant proportion of the Australian population, affecting approximately 5% of people over 65 years of age.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article provides an approach to the management of this common arrhythmia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During initial assessment, it is important to identify and treat any comorbid conditions that may contribute to atrial fibrillation. The clinician must then determine an appropriate anticoagulation regimen and choice of either a rate or rhythm control approach. Anticoagulation can be with either warfarin or aspirin, with the decision based on an assessment of the patient's thromboembolic risk. Rate and/or rhythm control can be achieved pharmacologically, with device based therapy or with newer catheter ablation techniques. A combination of these differing approaches may be required in patients in whom it is difficult to achieve and maintain therapeutic goals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. peter.kistler@baker.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kistler
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Habersberger
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000925:Anticoagulants