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Review
. 2021 Dec;53(1):682-692.
doi: 10.1080/07853890.2021.1930137.

Rate control strategies for atrial fibrillation

Muath Alobaida  1 , Abdullah Alrumayh  1
Affiliations
Review

Rate control strategies for atrial fibrillation

Muath Alobaida et al. Ann Med. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main cardiac arrhythmias associated with higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. AF can cause adverse symptoms and reduced quality of life. One of the strategies for the management of AF is rate control, which can modulate ventricle rate, alleviate adverse associated symptoms and improve the quality of life. As primary management of AF through rate control or rhythm is a topic under debate, the purpose of this review is to explore the rationale for the rate control approach in managing AF by considering the guidelines, recommendations and determinants for the choice of rate control drugs, including beta blockers, digoxin and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for patients with AF and other comorbidities and atrioventricular nodal ablation and pacing. Despite the limitations of rate control treatment, which may not be effective in preventing disease progression or in reducing symptoms in highly symptomatic patients, it is widely used for almost all patients with atrial fibrillation. Although rate control is one of the first line management of all patient with atrial fibrillation, several issues remain debateable.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Electrophysiology; Rate control strategy; arrhythmias.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Indications of rate control treatment with the ultimate goal. AF: Atrial fibrillation [2].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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