Antiarrhythmic therapy following ablation of atrial fibrillation. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stabile, Giuseppe; Iuliano, Assunta; Agresta, Alessia; La Rocca, Vincenzo; D'Ascia, Salvatore; De Simone, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Expert review of cardiovascular therapy. Volume 11:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 837
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: antiarrhythmic drug -- atrial fibrillation -- catheter ablation; Cardiovascular agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.12061
• DOI: 10.1586/14779072.2013.811982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9072

Abstract

Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are often used after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF); the drugs employed vary, but most common are the drugs that were unsuccessful prior to ablation since it seems that the efficacy of AADs might substantially increase after catheter ablation of AF. AADs reduce early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias after AF catheter ablation, whereas they did not prevent arrhythmia recurrences occurring later. Several upstream therapies (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, corticosteroids and colchicine) have been tested with conflicting results. To date, there is no sufficient evidence to support the use of any upstream therapy after AF catheter ablation. Larger registries and controlled clinical trials in well-defined patient groups and with well-defined outcome parameters are required to further elucidate the role of AADs after AF ablation.