Antiarrhythmic Treatment in Heart Failure

Abstract

Purpose of review: Arrhythmias are common in patients with heart failure (HF) and are associated with a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Optimal antiarrhythmic treatment is therefore essential. Here, we review current approaches to antiarrhythmic treatment in patients with HF.

Recent findings: In atrial fibrillation, rhythm control and ventricular rate control are accepted therapeutic strategies. In recent years, clinical trials have demonstrated a prognostic benefit of early rhythm control strategies and AF catheter ablation, especially in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. Prevention of sudden cardiac death with ICD therapy is essential, but optimal risk stratification is challenging. For ventricular tachycardias, recent data support early consideration of catheter ablation. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy is an adjunctive therapy in symptomatic patients but has no prognostic benefit and well-recognized (proarrhythmic) adverse effects. Antiarrhythmic therapy in HF requires a systematic, multimodal approach, starting with guideline-directed medical therapy for HF and integrating pharmacological, device, and interventional therapy.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Heart failure; Sudden cardiac death; Ventricular arrhythmias.

Fig. 1

Schematic overview on therapy of atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients

Fig. 2

Schematic representation of judgement that is recommended for optimal antiarrhythmic treatment of heart failure patients as presented in this article