title: What can rhythm control therapy contribute to prognosis in atrial fibrillation?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a global healthcare problem of growing prevalence and major significance. The consequences of AF include an increased rate of death, stroke and heart failure. Theoretically, a therapeutic strategy aiming at restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm should offset the prognosis impairment associated with AF. However, these expectations were disproven in large randomised controlled trials comparing conventional antiarrhythmic drugs for rhythm control with conventional rate control. These apparently contradictory findings suggest that rhythm control strategies require better therapeutic instruments. These improvements may involve drugs and/or interventions with optimised risk-benefit profile and which also appreciate the specific atrial pathology and the patient's comorbidities. This article addresses important aspects of rhythm control strategies, which may have the potential of a beneficial contribution to the prognosis of AF patients.
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, University of Leipzig-Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Sascha
authors: S
authors: Rolf
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, University of Leipzig-Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Jelena
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3551-1145
authors: J
authors: Kornej
authors: Second University Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Dagres
authors: Department of Electrophysiology, University of Leipzig-Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Hindricks
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers