Research Needs and Priorities for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia encountered by physicians. According to the Framingham Heart Study, the lifetime risk of AF at age 80 is 22.7% in men and 21.7% in women.1 Silent AF occurs in about 30% of patients, and, unfortunately, the first clinical manifestation can be a stroke.2 Thus, early diagnosis and management with anticoagulation are imperative. AF may be paroxysmal, usually lasting for minutes to hours before spontaneously converting back to sinus rhythm.

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - May 13, 2020 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Roger L. Royster, Rohesh J. Fernando, Elijah H. Beaty Tags: Editorial Source Type: research