Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and death. Current treatments focus on anti-coagulation as well as rate-control and rhythm-control strategies. Frequent INR checks associated with warfarin along with several adverse side effects of anti-arrhythmics have propelled investigations into novel treatments for atrial fibrillation. Research is focused not only on pioneering new pharmacological antico- agulation and anti-arrhythmic agents but also on improving surgical techniques in hopes of treating the arrhythmia. Here, we first briefly discuss the current treatment options, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, for atrial fibrillation. We then present a focused review of recent animal and human investigations that examine the use of novel an-ticoagulation agents, mechanisms of new anti-arrhythmics, analyze potential triggers of atrial fibrillation, and highlight the role of genetics in atrial fibrillation.
Highlights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and death
We present a focused review of recent animal and human investigations that examine the use of novel anticoagulation agents, mechanisms of new anti-arrhythmics, analyze potential triggers of atrial fibrillation, and highlight the role of genetics in atrial fibrillation
This study demonstrated a higher rate of AF recurrence in the group that underwent the circumferential ablation [51]
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and death. It affects nearly 3 million Americans, a number that is expected to rise to 6 - 12 million by 2050 [1]. The disease is associated with an approximate two-fold increase in mortality, along with a three-fold increase in the risk of heart failure and a five-fold increase in the risk of stroke [3,4]. Persistent AF can be due to many cardiac diseases, and since it causes an uncontrolled, rapid ventricular rate, it can result in dilated cardiomyopathy and electrical remodeling of the heart. Auscultation of the heart will produce an irregularly irregular beat and a subsequent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) will display irregularly irregular narrow complex tachycardia [4]
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