MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Therapy Options

Unmet needs in the management of Afib

As we are all aware, current therapies for Afib are far from ideal: pharmacological treatments have a high rate of failure and are associated with longer term tolerability issues. Anticoagulants are also sometimes not prescribed as often as indicated, in part because of difficulties in patient management. Furthermore, there is still ongoing debate regarding the two primary pharmacological approaches for long-term control of Afib - maintenance of sinus rhythm and control of ventricular rate. It is clear that effective maintenance of sinus rhythm can reduce morbidity, improve quality of life, and, by preserving left ventricular function and reducing thromboembolic risk, potentially reduce mortality associated with Afib. Clinical guidelines support a rhythm control strategy in patients with paroxysmal Afib notwithstanding the fact that up to 60% of patients on antiarrhythmic drugs are still in Afib (ref. 9). More recently, there has been interest in the use of drugs interfering with the renin-angiotensin system in order to prevent onset or progression of Afib [reviewed in (ref. 10)].

Current unmet needs in the management of patients with Afib will place greater emphasis on preventive measures, including risk factor management and education, in addition to early diagnostic strategies. However, with the current impact of Afib straining healthcare resources, more effective treatment approaches such as non-surgical procedures are acquiring an increasing role in the treatment of Afib.