What is rate control in atrial fibrillation?

Rate control involves the use of negatively chronotropic drugs or electrophysiological/surgical interventions to reduce the rapid ventricular rate often found in patients with atrial fibrillation.

What is used for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation?

Some typical drugs that are used for rhythm control are flecainide (Tambocor®), propafenone (Rythmol®), quinidine (Various), sotalol (Betapace®), amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®),1 and dronedarone (Multaq®). These medications are not effective for all patients and some have major side effects.

How is atrial fibrillation controlled?

Heart rate medicines: The most common way to treat atrial fibrillation is with drugs that control your heartbeat. These slow your rapid heart rate so your heart can pump better. You may need other drugs. Some are called beta-blockers.

How do I control my atrial fibrillation fast?

Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are first-line agents for rate control in AF. These drugs can be administered either intravenously or orally. They are effective at rest and with exertion. Intravenous diltiazem or metoprolol are commonly used for AF with a rapid ventricular response.

Do all afib patients need rate control?

The choice of rate control depends on the symptoms and clinical characteristics of the patient, but for all patients with atrial fibrillation, rate control is part of the management. Choice of drugs is patient-dependent.

What are the benefits of rate control in atrial fibrillation?

Results from the Rate Control Versus Electric Cardioversion for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (RACE) study also confirmed that a rate control strategy is as effective as rhythm control in management of AF and offers potential advantages such as a lower risk of adverse drug effects, cost-effectiveness and decreased …

Do all AFib patients need rate control?

How do you treat uncontrolled atrial fibrillation?

Your doctor may suggest several lifestyle changes, including:

  1. Eat heart-healthy foods.
  2. Exercise regularly.
  3. Quit smoking.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight.
  5. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
  6. Drink alcohol in moderation.
  7. Maintain follow-up care.

What is a normal heart rate for someone with AFIB?

The heart rate in atrial fibrillation may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute. The normal range for a heart rate is 60 to 100 beats a minute.

What is the rate control trial for atrial fibrillation?

The RAte control Therapy Evaluation in permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) trial will assess the effect of therapy on patient-reported quality of life, and improve methods to capture this information in patients with AF.

Are there any RCTs for atrial fibrillation?

A number of RCTs have assessed the addition of rhythm control strategies to control of heart rate in patients with AF, most often with anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) and direct current cardioversion.

Which is better for atrial fibrillation race or affirm?

Whereas the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial aimed to achieve heart rates comparable to the heart rates during sinus rhythm, patients included in the Rate Control versus Electric cardioversion for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (RACE) study were treated with a more lenient approach.

Which is the first step in the management of atrial fibrillation?

Ventricular rate control to achieve a rate of less than 100 beats per minute is generally the first step in managing atrial fibrillation.