Atrial Fibrillation : A Quick Recap

Abstract

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disturbance that increases in prevalence with advancing age. The mechanisms causing and sustaining AF are multifactorial. AF can be complex and difficult for clinicians to manage. Symptoms of AF range from non-existent to severe. Frequent hospitalizations, hemodynamic abnormalities, and thromboembolic events related to AF result in significant morbidity and mortality. AF is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of stroke and/or peripheral thromboembolism owing to the formation of atrial thrombi, usually in the left atrial appendage (LAA). The appearance of AF is often associated with exacerbation of underlying heart disease. The past decade has seen substantial progress in the understanding of mechanisms of AF, clinical implementation of ablation for maintaining sinus rhythm, LAA occlusion and new drugs for stroke prevention.