title: Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure: should we aim to control the heart's rate or its rhythm?
abstract: The Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure trial, which was conducted in patients with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, demonstrates that prognosis is independent of whether treatment is targeted towards controlling the heart's rate or its rhythm. The study also showed that other factors, such as use of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, oral anticoagulants, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, can have a major influence on prognosis. Antiarrhythmic drugs (primarily amiodarone) were well tolerated, and adequate rate control was achieved with adjusted doses of beta-blockers combined with digoxin. Future studies should focus on the clinical importance of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, versus that of traditional approaches to treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Ancona, Italy. alessandro.capucci@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents