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====Management:==== | ====Management:==== | ||
The management of AF consist of several key targets. Firstly, any underlying potential reversible cause of AF should be treated. Secondly, care should be taken to prevent the complications of AF. This means that adequate oral-anticoagulation should be initiated and | The management of AF consist of several key targets. Firstly, any underlying potential reversible cause of AF should be treated. Secondly, care should be taken to prevent the complications of AF. This means that adequate oral-anticoagulation should be initiated and rate control should be started to reduce heart rate. Thirdly, symptoms should be treated with medical or invasive therapy. There are two strategies to reduce symptoms of AF. Rate control is a strategy were Studies have shown no benefit of rhyhtm control over rate control, thus the selection of strategy is mainly dependent of patient and atrial fibrillation characteristics. Independent of the treatment strategy, proper anti-coagulation is important and necessary in patients with risk factors.<Cite>Camm2012,Camm2010</Cite> | ||
* <B>Rate control:</b> In atrial fibrillation the ventricle can have a fast irregular rate that can be difficult to tolerate by a patient. On of the strategies in managing atrial fibrillation is to control ventricular rate <120bpm. In this strategy no attempt is made to achieve sinus rhythm. This is the only treatment option in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Due to the fast irregular ventricular rate a dilated tachycardiomyopathy can develop and proper rate control can revert these ventricular changes. Rate control can be achieved with beta-blockers, Ca-antagonist and digoxine. | * <B>Rate control:</b> In atrial fibrillation the ventricle can have a fast irregular rate that can be difficult to tolerate by a patient. On of the strategies in managing atrial fibrillation is to control ventricular rate <120bpm. In this strategy no attempt is made to achieve sinus rhythm. This is the only treatment option in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Due to the fast irregular ventricular rate a dilated tachycardiomyopathy can develop and proper rate control can revert these ventricular changes. Rate control can be achieved with beta-blockers, Ca-antagonist and digoxine. | ||
** <b>Invasive treatment:</b> | ** <b>Invasive treatment:</b> |
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