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Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: Rate Versus Rhythm Control

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Translational Approach to Heart Failure

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are commonly coexisting conditions with important pathophysiologic interactions impacting patient management. Treatment of atrial fibrillation with impaired ventricular function is focused towards preventing adverse hemodynamic effects that may result in more symptoms and decreased exercise tolerance. While rate control using medications or atrioventricular nodal ablation combined with pacing is the primary emphasis of management, rhythm control using pharmacologic or pulmonary vein isolation remains a feasible alternative strategy for some patients. The prevalence, mechanisms, and management strategies of atrial fibrillation and heart failure are reviewed in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Mackram F. Eleid M.D. & Yong-Mei Cha M.D.

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA

    Win-Kuang Shen M.D.

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  1. Mackram F. Eleid M.D.
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Correspondence to Win-Kuang Shen M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Center, OLV Hospital, MOORSEBEAN 164, AALST, B-9300, Belgium

    Jozef Bartunek

  2. Cardiovascular Center, OLV Hospital, Moorselbaan 164, Aalst, 9300, Belgium

    Marc Vanderheyden

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Eleid, M.F., Cha, YM., Shen, WK. (2013). Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: Rate Versus Rhythm Control. In: Bartunek, J., Vanderheyden, M. (eds) Translational Approach to Heart Failure. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7345-9_6

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