Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure: risk factors, mechanisms, and treatment
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are commonly encountered together, and either condition predisposes to the other. Risk factors for AF and CHF include age, hypertension, valve disease, and myocardial infarction, as well as a variety of medical conditions and genetic variants. Congestive heart failure and AF share common mechanisms, including myocardial fibrosis and dysregulation of intracellular calcium and neuroendocrine function. Pharmacological treatments including beta-blockers, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can be useful in treating both of these conditions. Antiarrhythmic medications intended to achieve and maintain sinus rhythm may be beneficial in some patients with AF and CHF. Advances in pacemaker and defibrillator therapy, including cardiac resynchronization therapy, may also benefit patients with AF and CHF. Surgical and catheter-based ablation therapy can restore sinus rhythm in patients with AF, with proven benefit in patients with concommitant CHF. Investigational biologic therapy, including cell and gene based therapy, offers promise for the future of reversing the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie AF and CHF.
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.
Cardiac Conduction System
The cardiac conduction system is a specialized tract of myocardial cells responsible for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm. Discover the latest research on the cardiac conduction system here.
Atrial Filbrillation
Atrial fibrillation refers to the abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. Here is the latest research.
Antihypertensive Agents: Mechanisms of Action
Antihypertensive drugs are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) which aims to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Discover the latest research on antihypertensive drugs and their mechanism of action here.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.
Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapies
Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. These medications are used in conditions including, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Discover the latest research on anti-arrhythmic drug therapies here.
Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanisms of Action
Understanding the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic agents is essential in developing new medications as treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is currently limited by the reduced availability of safe and effective drugs. Discover the latest research on Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanism of Action here.