title: Atrial fibrillation and heart failure: update 2015.
abstract: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly coexist, adversely affect mortality, and impose a significant burden on healthcare resources. The presence of AF and HF portends a poor prognosis as well as an increased thromboembolic risk. In patients whose AF is symptomatic, rhythm restoration with either antiarrhythmic drugs or procedural therapies (e.g., pulmonary vein isolation, either catheter-based or surgical) should be considered for symptom improvement, though a mortality benefit has yet to be demonstrated. Emerging evidence suggests that non-pharmacological treatment for AF (including catheter based ablation, hybrid surgical techniques, and atrioventricular node ablation with biventricular pacing) may be of value in improving HF patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans LA, United States.
authors.forename: Sudarone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thihalolipavan
authors.affiliation: Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans LA, United States; Ochsner Clinical School, Queensland University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA, United States. Electronic address: dmorin@ochsner.org.
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Morin
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Anti-arrhythmia drugs; Anticoagulation; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Heart failure