title: Management of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Serious complications associated with this disorder include cardioembolic stroke, heart failure, and death. The worldwide prevalence of AF is rapidly increasing owing to aging of the population. Abnormal impulse formation in the pulmonary veins is known to trigger paroxysmal AF and radiofrequency isolation of these veins is recommended in drug-refractory AF. Active pharmacological research is directed towards selectively targeting the culprit venous cells. Persistent AF is more likely to be an atrial disease. Intrinsic and extrinsic stressors are believed to cause electrostructural alterations in the atrial tissue leading to profibrillatory state. Further research will elucidate the role of stressors and help develop biomarkers to guide early management of AF. An ideal therapy for AF aims at prevention of onset and progression of AF and reduction of AF-related symptoms, hospitalization, stroke, and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque and the Université Bordeaux II, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Ashok J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Amir S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jadidi
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Xhaet
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Linton
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scherr
authors.forename: Xingpeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forclaz
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nault
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rivard
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Derval
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sacher
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bordachar
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Meleze
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hocini
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jais
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haissaguerre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents