title: Contemporary approaches to persistent atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently the most commonly treated cardiac arrhythmia. It is generally a progressive disease, often more difficult to control as electromechanical remodeling alters the underlying substrate. Patients typically evolve from infrequent, self-terminating episodes, to more frequent and sustained events. In addition, atrial remodeling may make sinus rhythm more challenging to achieve. Although an ablation strategy limited to pulmonary vein isolation may be curative in those with paroxysmal AF, a more extensive approach is often required in those with persistent AF. This article discusses the current approaches and most recent advances in the ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. manlucuj@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jaimie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manlucu
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brancato
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Pedram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kazemian
authors.forename: Gregory F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Michaud
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004351:Drug Resistance; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants