title: Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered arrhythmia. Prevalence increases with advancing age and so as its associated comorbidities, like heart failure. Choice of pharmacologic therapy depends on whether the goal of treatment is maintaining sinus rhythm or tolerating AF with adequate control of ventricular rates. Antiarrhythmic therapy and conversion of AF into sinus rhythm comes with the side effect profile, and we should select best antiarrhythmic therapy, individualized to the patient. New antiarrhythmic drugs are being tested in clinical trials. Drugs that target remodeling and inflammation are being tested for their use as prevention of AF or as upstream therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cooper University Hospital, 3rd Floor Dorrance, One Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA; Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Electronic address: rizwansardar@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad Rizwan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sardar
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY 10457, USA.
authors.forename: Wajeeha
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kowey
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D054539:Medication Therapy Management
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
keywords: Antiarrhythmic; Atrial fibrillation; Cardioversion; Pharmacologic therapy; Prevention; Rate control; Rhythm control; Upstream therapy