Resumen

SEQUEIRA, Orlando Robert; TORALES, Judith María; GARCIA, Laura Beatriz  y  CENTURION, Osmar Antonio. Diagnostic evaluation and pharmacological therapeutic management in patients with atrial fibrillation. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2019, vol.17, n.2, pp.86-101. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2019.017.02.86-101.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia that can occur in a wide variety of clinical conditions. Despite progress in the treatment of patients with AF, this arrhythmia remains one of the most important causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death and cardiovascular morbidity worldwide. The aim of treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs is to improve the symptoms related to AF, and to look for a balance between the symptomatic load, the possibility of adverse pharmacological reactions and the patient preferences. The short and long term heart rate control can be achieved with beta blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers or combination therapy. Although other class III antiarrhythmic drugs also have a frequency-limiting effect, they should only be used for the control of heart rhythm. Restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm is also an integral part of the treatment of AF. Class III antiarrhythmic drugs double the rate of patients who maintain their sinus rhythm. Treatment for rhythm control is indicated to improve the symptoms of patients with AF who remain symptomatic despite adequate treatment for heart rate control. The combination of antiarrhythmics that prolong the QT interval should not be used to control heart rhythm in AF.

Palabras clave : Atrial Fibrillation; Pharmacotherapy; Anti-arrhythmic agents.

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