The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure increases with advancing age. It is estimated that the annual incidence of AF in the general heart failure population is approximately 5%, whereas as many as 40% of patients with advanced heart failure have AF. The goals of therapy in patients with heart failure and AF are symptom control and prevention of arterial thromboembolism. The adverse hemodynamic events of AF may lead to symptom deterioration and reduced exercise capacity. This review addresses the impact of AF on heart failure outcomes as they pertain to prognosis and management.
Keywords: Antiarrhythmic therapy; Antithrombotic therapy; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Heart failure treatment; Prognosis.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.