Document Detail


Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in the management of atrial fibrillation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19492029     Owner:  NLM     Status:  PubMed-not-MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical arrhythmia, and is difficult to treat. Current treatment strategies are far from optimal. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy to maintain sinus rhythm is limited by inadequate efficacy and potentially serious side effects. New areas of research include targeting the AF substrate and examining whether drugs can produce atrial structural and/or electrophysiological remodelling, and whether this results in a reduction in AF burden. There are two approaches to the treatment of AF. The first approach is cardioversion and treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs to maintain sinus rhythm. The other approach is the use of rate-controlling drugs allowing AF to persist. In both approaches, the use of anticoagulant drugs is recommended. There is an increasing interest in novel therapeutic approaches that target AF-substrate development. Recent trials suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor II blockers (ARBs) may be useful, particularly in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, chronic heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. While experimental studies have shown that the pathogenic structural and electrical remodelling of the atria are prevented by inhibition of angiotensin II, the clinical potential and mechanisms of this approach are still under active investigation. The present article will discuss information pertaining to the mechanism of action and clinical use of ACEIs and ARBs in AF. It will also review the current data on the use of ACEIs and ARBs in a high-risk group of AF patients (heart failure, hypertensive with left ventricular hypertrophy, and myocardial infarction), together with the potential benefit of this class type of pharmacological therapy in direct current cardioversion and after radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Authors:
Rafik R Anis
Related Documents :
12062339 - Ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation (af): past, present and future.
18399969 - Inducibility of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias along the ligament of marshall: role...
2399889 - Clinical, echocardiographic and doppler correlates of clinical instability with onset o...
18809979 - Strategies for primary and secondary stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
8752189 - Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of left atrial appendage function and spon...
20062939 - Management of antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation patients presenting with ac...
11025569 - Congenital severe aortic stenosis with congestive heart failure in late childhood and a...
3871299 - Effect of coronary bypass surgery and valve replacement on left ventricular function: a...
21392599 - Integrating the synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardi...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Experimental and clinical cardiology     Volume:  14     ISSN:  1205-6626     ISO Abbreviation:  Exp Clin Cardiol     Publication Date:  2009  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-06-03     Completed Date:  2011-07-14     Revised Date:  2013-03-27    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9715903     Medline TA:  Exp Clin Cardiol     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  e1-7     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
The Institute of Cardiovascular Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Localization of adenylate kinase 4 in mouse tissues.
Next Document:  Infectious endocarditis with systemic septic embolization as a rare complication of cardiac catheter...