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Treatments for atrial fibrillation include medications and procedures that regulate the heart rhythm. The most important goals of treating atrial fibrillation include:
- Restoring the heart to a normal rhythm (rhythm control)
- Slowing the heart rate (rate control)
- Preventing blood clots
Restoring the heart to a normal rhythm
In order to correct atrial fibrillation doctors often perform a procedure called cardioversion which can be done on two ways:
Medications
Medications called anti-arrhythmics, which are designed to stop the atria's quivering and restore normal sinus rhythm, are commonly used. Some of the most common are: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), propafenone (Rythmol), procainamide (Procanbid), sotalol (Betapace) and dofetilide (Tikosyn).
Electrical cardioversion
In this short procedure an electrical shock is delivered to patient’s heart through patches placed on his or hers chest. The fact is that the shock stops heart's electrical activity for a split second. And when it begins again, it may resume the normal rhythm.
Slowing the heart rate
In the situations when atrial fibrillation can't be converted, the goal is to slow the heart rate and in order to do that the doctors are prescribing a medication called digoxin (Lanoxin). It can control the heart rate at rest but is not as effective during activity.
Preventing blood clots
When someone is at especially high risk of stroke, doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications called anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or Aspirin.
Non-drug treatment
- AV nodal ablation with pacemaker implantation
- Maze procedure
- Pacemaker implantation
- Pulmonary vein ablation