title: Prevention of atrial fibrillation in hypertension.
abstract: Hypertensive patients have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), which increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Primary prevention is a new strategy in treating AF; previously, it was more common to focus on preventing adverse outcomes and controlling the arrhythmia's rate and rhythm. In this review, we consider the possible preventive effects of antihypertensive treatment on new-onset AF seen in recent trials, especially with blockers of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Several secondary analyses of large, randomized trials regarding hypertension and heart failure have shown promising results with benefits beyond the expected blood pressure-lowering effect. A few prospective studies on prevention of AF recurrence with RAS blockade have been published, and more studies are expected to be published in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ullevaal University Hospital, N-0407 Oslo, Norway. TonjeAmb.Aksnes@ulleval.no
authors.forename: Tonje A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Aksnes
authors.forename: Arnljot
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flaa
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.forename: Sverre E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kjeldsen