Management of atrial fibrillation--Part 2.
Many cardiologists prefer, especially in older patients, ventricular rate control plus warfarin rather than maintaining sinus rhythm with anti-arrhythmic drugs. Patients with chronic or paroxysmal AF at high risk for stroke should be treated with long-term warfarin to achieve an International Normalized Ratio of 2.0 to 3.0. Patients with AF at low risk for stroke or with contraindications to warfarin should be treated with aspirin.
Aronow
Wilbert S
WS
Cardiology Division, New York Medical College, Macy Pavilion, Room 138, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. wsaronow@aol.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000628:therapy
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants