Abstract

TORTAJADA, Gustavo; REYES CAORSI, Walter  and  VARELA, Gonzalo. Atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Rev.Urug.Cardiol. [online]. 2017, vol.32, n.3, pp.330-340. ISSN 0797-0048.  https://doi.org/10.29277/ruc/32.3.14.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinical arrhythmia, and independently of left ventricular ejection fraction is commonly associated with heart failure. It appearance in patients with heart failure or vice versa worsen the clinical evolution and increases mortality. Both diseases share risk factors and physiopathologic mechanisms.

This review concentrates in atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Mechanisms and its interaction between both pathologies are analysed. Current clinical treatment of this arrhythmia in heart failure is presented, with emphasis in oral anticoagulation but also discussing the different pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to rate and rhythm control.

Keywords : Atrial fibrillation; Heart failure; Drug therapy; Ablation techniques.

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