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Hybrid therapy for atrial fibrillation

C. Wolpert*, K.K. Haase, T. Süselbeck and M. Borggrefe

Department of Medicine, University Clinic of Mannheim, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

* Christian Wolpert, MD, Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Clinic of Mannheim, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer, 68167 Mannheim, Germany

Abstract

In some patients with atrial fibrillation stand-alone therapy with drugs, pacemaker or catheter ablation is not able to sufficiently suppress recurrences. Therefore, combined use of either strategies has been introduced using two or more therapeutic approaches in order to augment clinical benefit. Among these, the simultaneous use of antiarrhythmic agents and ablation has been shown to improve the atrial fibrillation burden by promotion of atrial fibrillation to atrial flutter with drugs and consecutive isthmus ablation. Other studies using preventive pacing could document a significant improvement of symptoms and AF burden with additional drugs.

Key Words: Ablation • Drugs • Hybrid therapy • Pacemaker

References

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This Article
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