title: Current approaches to antiarrhythmic therapy in heart failure.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is exceedingly common in patients with heart failure (HF), as they share common risk factors. Rate control is the cornerstone of treatment for AF; however, restoration of sinus rhythm should be considered when more than minimal symptoms are present. Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias are responsible for the primary mode of death in patients with NYHA I, II, or III HF. Although implantable cardioverter defibrillators protect against sudden cardiac arrest, many patients will present with VT or ICD shocks. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy beyond beta-blocker therapy remains fundamental to the termination of acute VT and the prevention of ICD shocks.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Heart Failure & Pulmonary Hypertension, UNC Heart & Vascular Center, 6th Floor, Burnett-Womack Building, 160 Dental Circle, CB#7075, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: Lisa_rose-jones@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rose-Jones
authors.affiliation: Clinical Fellow, UNC Heart & Vascular Center, 6th Floor, Burnett-Womack Building, 160 Dental Circle, CB#7075, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Weeranun D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.affiliation: Electrophysiology, UNC Heart & Vascular Center, 6th Floor, Burnett-Womack Building, 160 Dental Circle, CB#7075, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gehi
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
keywords: Antiarrhythmics; Atrial fibrillation; Congestive heart failure; Electrical storm; ICD shocks; Rhythm control; Ventricular tachycardia