Open AccessNonpharmacological Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: What Is the Role of Device Therapy?
Author(s) -
Lucie Riedlbauchová,
Václav Durdil,
Jakub Honěk,
Josef Veselka
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of angiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.293
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1615-5939
pISSN - 1061-1711
DOI - 10.1055/s-0040-1708529
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , cardiology , cardiac resynchronization therapy , heart failure , management of atrial fibrillation , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , heart rhythm , cardiac arrhythmia , stroke (engine) , population , intensive care medicine , ejection fraction , mechanical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in the adult population, and its incidence and prevalence are still rising. Cardiac devices are widely used in clinical practice in the management of various rhythm disturbances and heart failure treatment. Many patients who receive a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronization therapy also experience atrial fibrillation in the course of their life. Therefore, this review aims to describe the role of these devices in the treatment and prevention of atrial fibrillation in the device recipients. In addition, all these implantable devices also serve as permanent ECG (electrocardiogram) monitors, thus providing important information about the presence and characteristics of atrial fibrillation that may or may not be detected by the patient but can modify our therapeutical approach with regard to the stroke prevention.