Atrial fibrillation and heart failure

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are among the most common cardiovascular diseases and have a significant impact on the mortality and morbidity of affected patients. From a pathophysiological perspective, the two diseases are closely related and often perpetuate each other. Therefore, effective management of atrial fibrillation is now a central component of modern heart failure treatment. Based on current data, sinus rhythm should primarily be permanently maintained in patients with systolic heart failure. Catheter ablation has recently proven to be advantageous over purely pharmacological therapy and is therefore the treatment of choice for many patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. In patients with diastolic heart failure (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]), the effect of catheter ablation is less clear. Data from randomized studies are urgently needed in order to further assess efficacy in this population.