Peer Reviewed
Perspectives

Atrial fibrillation: rhythm versus rate control

Peter Kistler
Abstract
Consideration should be given to whether rhythm control or rate control is best when treating patients with atrial fibrillation.
Key Points
  • The management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be considered at two levels: rhythm control versus rate control; and the protection against stroke and embolic events.
  • Rhythm control may be achieved through antiarrhythmic drugs such as flecainide, sotalol or amiodarone; however, it may be limited by efficacy, tolerance and proarrhythmia.
  • Catheter ablation for AF may provide long-term freedom from AF in the absence of antiarrhythmic medication and is most effective in patients with paroxysmal AF in the absence of structural heart disease.
  • Rate control may be achieved through atrioventricular nodal blocking medications or pacemaker implant followed by atrioventricular node ablation.
Get full access
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Buy this article

Single article purchases are temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance.

If you would like to purchase an article during this time, please email us at [email protected] with the article details and we'll assist you directly. We'll also let you know when online purchasing is available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Already a subscriber?