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Quality of life in older people with atrial fibrillation.

J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2009 Jun;25(1):37-42

Authors: Lane DA, Lip GY

This review summarises the literature on quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. Since atrial fibrillation is predominantly a disease of maturity, the majority of studies examining quality of life in this patient population have been conducted in older adults people (aged >or=65 years). Almost all studies have demonstrated poorer quality of life among patients with atrial fibrillation compared to age-matched general populations. Rate-control and rhythm-control strategies in highly symptomatic patients have revealed significant improvements in quality of life following the interventions, presumably as a result of the immediate relief of symptoms. Further, randomised controlled trials of rate- versus rhythm-control strategies have shown that some aspects of quality of life improve significantly following either intervention and that neither rate nor rhythm-control is superior in increasing quality of life. Control of the heart rate, rather than restoring sinus rhythm, appears to be associated with better quality of life in more domains.

PMID: 19034639 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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New drugs for atrial fibrillation.

J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2008 Oct;23(1):15-21

Authors: Hammwöhner M, Smid J, Lendeckel U, Goette A

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the number of patients with AF will triple in the next 30 years, and therefore, its impact on medical and economic issues will further increase. Due to the limited efficacy and significant side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs, much effort has been made to develop alternative pharmacologic treatments for AF. Novel approaches include new antiarrhythmic drugs and novel drug targets involved in molecular, proarrhythmogenic, atrial remodeling. Furthermore, novel anticoagulants are now clinically studied. This review briefly summarizes new developments in the pharmacotherapy for AF.

PMID: 18535890 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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