Pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation
Leenhardt, A.; Thomas, O.; Coumel, P.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 90(Special Issue 1): 41-46
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 9238456 Document Number: 479966
Atrial fibrillation is not a single entity. Many factors play a role in its genesis, its maintenance and termination. The presence of underlying cardiac disease and left ventricular dysfunction is a major factor due to the electrophysiological and haemodynamic consequences, the effect on autonomic nervous system and on the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs themselves. It is therefore essential to take this into account before deciding on a therapeutic approach. This also emphasises the difficulty of interpreting clinical trials comparing pharmacological treatments when the study population is poorly defined. In general, one molecule is not more or less effective than another, it is more or less adapted to the patient under treatment.