Tag: atrial fibrillation;

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Current Strategies and Recommendations

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Current Strategies and Recommendations

Authors: Naccarelli, Gerald V.; Caputo, Gregory; Abendroth, Thomas; Faber, Samuel; Sendra-Ferrer, Mauricio; Wolbrette, Deborah; Samii, Soraya; Hussain, Sarah; Gonzalez, Mario

Stroke is the most common complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). Guidelines recommend anticoagulant treatment in patients with CHA2DS2VASc scores of >2. Registry data suggests that almost half of patients who should be on therapeutic anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF (SPAF) are not. Warfarin and more recently developed agents, the “novel anticoagulants” (NOACs) reduce the risk of embolic strokes. In addition, the NOACs also reduce intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) by over 50% compared to warfarin. Anticoagulation and bridging strategies involving cardioversion, catheter ablation, and invasive/surgical procedures are reviewed. The development of reversal agents for NOACs and the introduction of left atrial appendage occluding devices will evolve the use of newer strategies for preventing stroke in high risk AF patients.

Keywords: anticoagulants; atrial fibrillation; stroke

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15212/CVIA.2016.0005

Loading

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Indications, New Advances, and Complications

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Indications, New Advances, and Complications

 Author: Ma, Chang-Sheng
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting millions of people worldwide with increasing incidence and prevalence. Radiofrequency catheter ablation has evolved as the treatment of choice for both paroxysmal and persistent AF. Several studies have been reported on catheter ablation as the first-line treatment for paroxysmal AF and different strategies for persistent AF. New technologies such as contact-force sensing catheters and cryoballoon have been recently used and the procedure carries the risk of complications like hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, atrio-esophageal fistula and death.

Loading