Resumen

VANERIO BALBELA, Gabriel et al. Fibrilación auricular: más vale prevenir que tratar. Rev. Méd. Urug. [online]. 2005, vol.21, n.4, pp.269-281. ISSN 1688-0390.

Summary Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. It affects 0.6% of the overall population and 6 to 8% in elderly people aged 60 to 80 years respectively. Patients with atrial fibrillation show a morbility five times higher and twice mortality rates. This review analyzes electric and anatomy atrial remodelation. Risk factors are also discussed: age, followed by diastolic heart failure, are the most relevant risk factors. Aggresive treatment might invert structural changes provoked by hypertension, and could prevent atrial fibrillation. Effects of non-antiarrhythmic and antiarrhythmic drugs are described. Finally we focused on primary and secondary prevention. Atrial fibrillation is not an homogenous entity: many parameters affect initiation, perpetuation and ending ot this condition. For many patients, our goal is modest: to reduce frequency, lenght and severity of episodes; but for other patients, prevention may be definitive.

Palabras clave : FIBRILACIÓN ATRIAL [prevención y contro].

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