The new stakes in the management of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common aarhythmia, and its incidence increases, particularly in men. It is the cause of many severe complications, including thrombo-embolic events, and worsening of heart failure. Those explain the increased mortality rates observed in patients with atrial fibrillation, and the huge cost of this disease. Much remains to do to improve the management of patients with atrial fibrillation, with the use of antiarrhythmic, antithrombotic and heart rate lowering agents, combined with the selective use of ablation techniques. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.