Atrial Fibrillation in Congestive Heart Failure: Current Management

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure are common conditions and each predisposes to the development of the other. Basic research using animal models of the two conditions continues to yield insights that may improve therapies. The role of medical therapies aimed at the underlying structural changes in AF continues to be a subject of ongoing studies. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is effective in appropriately selected patients with both sinus rhythm and AF. Catheter ablation is emerging as a potential alternative to antiarrhythmic drug therapy, but large randomized trials will be needed to assess its role.