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Minerva Medica 2009 April;100(2):137-43

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure

Bourke T., Boyle N. G.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Center Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are commonly encountered together, either condition predisposing to the other. The presence of each condition increases the morbidity and mortality associated with the other and their coexistence complicates patient management. Common risk factors include age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. This article addresses the complex interplay between AF and CHF with regards to shared mechanisms, effects on prognosis, management issues and available, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options.