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What is the role of surgery in the treatment of atrial fibrillation ?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of atrial fibrillation ? • A novel surgical technique, the Maze procedure, has recently been described in which multiple incisions are made in the atria to prevent re-entrant loops (Clin Curdiol 1991; 14:827 34). This procedure is highly effective in preventing atrial fibrillation: only one patient out of 65 suffered a clinical recurrence of the arrhythmia three or more months after the procedure. Although the long-term outcome is not known, it remains a promising procedure when atrial fibrillation is not controlled by medical therapy or in those cases complicated by recurrent thromboembolism. • The 'corridor' procedure effectively isolates both the left and right atrium, leaving a strip of myocardium connecting the sinus node to the atrioventricular node. This procedure does not prevent atrial fibrillation but isolates the fibrillating atria. Although a 70% 'cure' rate is reported, sequential atrioventricular contraction i

What is the role of oral anticoagulants in chronic atrial fibrillation ?

What is the role of oral anticoagulants in chronic atrial fibrillation ? Non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke, even though it is recognized that only 80% of strokes in such patients the heart. All patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation should be anticoagulated with warfarin unless there are contraindications (Br J Hosp Med 1993: 50: 452-7).

How would you treat a patient with atrial fibrillation ?

How would you treat a patient with atrial fibrillation ? Attempt to restore slow ventricular rate: • In the hypertensive patient use calcium antagonists (verapamil, diltiazem). • In thyroid disease use a beta-blocker (e.g. propranolol). • In ischaemic heart disease use a beta-blocker or diltiazem, verapamil. • In heart failure use digoxin or verapamil. • In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy use a beta-blocker or calcium antagonists. • In those who are intolerant of or do not respond to drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node (with a cardiac pacemaker) may provide symptomatic relief; however, it does not change the risk of systemic emboli or the need for anticoagulation (N Engl J Med 1999; 340: 534). • More recently, radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins has been shown to be effective in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation when the ectopic focus is in the pulmonary veins. Attempt to restore sinus rhythm by cardioversion if the following conditions app

What are the common causes of atrial fibrillation ?

What are the common causes of atrial fibrillation ? • Mitral valvular disease in the young and middle-aged. • Ischaemic heart disease or hypertension in the elderly. • Thyrotoxicosis (atrial fibrillation may be the only clinical feature in the elderly). • Constrictive pericarditis. • Chronic pulmonary disease.

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