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Int J Angiol 2020; 29(02): 113-122
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708529
Invited Articles
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Nonpharmacological Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: What Is the Role of Device Therapy?

Lucie Riedlbauchová 
1   Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2   Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
,
Václav Durdil
1   Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2   Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
,
Jakub Honěk
1   Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2   Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
,
Josef Veselka
1   Department of Cardiology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2   Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
› Author Affiliations Funding The study was supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic (grant no. 15–31398A).
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 April 2020 (online)

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Abstract

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.

Keywords

atrial fibrillation - sick sinus syndrome - heart failure - cardiac pacing - cardiac resynchronization - ICD - AV junctional ablation
 

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