title: [Rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation].
abstract: The objectives of rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation is to reduce symptoms, improve quality of live and minimize the risk of heart failure development. Based upon results of large randomized studies, this strategy can be chosen as a first line therapy in some patients including those with heart failure. The target ventricular rate is <or=85 bpm at rest and <or=115 bpm during moderate exercise. Drugs slowing the atrioventricular conduction are usually used alone or in combination to achieve this goal. Failure to control ventricular rate using drugs may lead to AV nodal ablation and pacemaker implantation with a conventional or a biventricular system according to patient initial hemodynamic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Service de cardiologie, CHU de Rouen, 1 rue de Germont, Rouen, France. frederic.anselme@chu-rouen.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anselme
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans