Cor Vasa 2010, 52(1-2):9-16 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2010.003

Is catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation superior to pharmacotherapy?

Alan Bulava
Kardiocentrum, Nemocnice České Budějovice, a. s., České Budějovice, Česká republika

Atrial fibrillation is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia. The incidence of atrial fibrillation in overall population reaches 5% according to some recent estimates. Based on these data, atrial fibrillation together with congestive heart failure is considered to be one of the 21st century epidemics. The presence of this arrhythmia doubles overall mortality and, due to predisposition to thrombus formation, it is responsible for more than one third of embolisation episodes, with a non-negligible socioeconomic impact. Antiarrhythmic therapy for atrial fibrillation is a most challenging issue. Novel non-pharmacological technologies for arrhythmia management have emerged during the last decade with strong evidence of being superior to conventional pharmacotherapy.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Radiofrequency catheter ablation; Success rate; Pharmacotherapy

Published: January 1, 2010  Show citation

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Bulava A. Is catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation superior to pharmacotherapy? Cor Vasa. 2010;52(1-2):9-16. doi: 10.33678/cor.2010.003.
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