Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2898508 | Cardiology Clinics | 2009 | 16 Pages |
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia associated with significant morbidity, including angina, heart failure, and stroke. Medical therapy remains suboptimal, with significant side effects and toxicities, and a high recurrence rate. Catheter ablation or modification of the atrioventricular node with pacemaker implantation provides rate-control but exposes patients to the hazards associated with implantable devices and does nothing to reduce the risk for stroke. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation offers a nonpharmacologic means of restoring sinus rhythm, thereby eliminating the morbidity of atrial fibrillation and the need for antiarrhythmic drugs.
Keywords
Related Topics
Health Sciences
Medicine and Dentistry
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors
Thomas D. MD, Luigi MD, Rodney MD, Javier MD, Joseph G. MD, Andrea MD, FACC, FHRS,