Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options: What You Need To Know

Do you feel tired or out of breath lately? Your heart may beat oddly. Atrial fibrillation can make your heartbeat fast and uneven. Many people over 35 struggle with this condition.

The problem can make daily tasks feel heavy.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment offers many solutions. Medications and procedures can help fix an irregular heartbeat. For example, beta blockers and blood thinners can ease the strain.

Some patients see the best cardiologist for atrial fibrillation or a top cardiologist in Hyderabad. Others trust a cardiologist in India, or a cardiologist in Bangalore, Mumbai, Secunderabad, or Chennai.

This post shows ways to gain relief. Read on.

Key Takeaways

• Medications help slow the heart rate and fix the rhythm. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers work well for many patients. Digoxin helps at rest but may not work during exercise.
• Rhythm control drugs and anticoagulants lower the risk of blood clots. Warfarin and NOACs like apixaban (Eliquis) lower stroke risk by 19%, but NOACs raise gastrointestinal bleed risk by 1.25 times.
• Non-surgical procedures such as cardioversion and catheter ablation restore a normal heart rhythm. Catheter ablation has success rates of 54.1% in paroxysmal cases and 41.8% in non-paroxysmal cases.
• Surgical options like the Maze procedure and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) help prevent abnormal signals and reduce stroke risk. The Maze procedure shows 93% freedom from AFib at one year and 78% at five years.

Medications for Atrial Fibrillation

Medications for atrial fibrillation work to keep your heart beating safely. They slow your heart rate, fix the rhythm, and block blood clots with proven drugs.

What medications control heart rate in atrial fibrillation?

Beta-blockers slow the heart. They work well for many with atrial fibrillation but pose risks for those with COPD, bradycardia, or low blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers also control the heart rate.

They may harm patients with heart failure or low blood pressure. Digoxin works well at rest yet is less effective during exercise.

Top cardiologists in Hyderabad often review these options. The best heart specialist in Hyderabad explains that rate control varies with each patient. A cardiologist in Securabad, a cardiologist in Mumbai, or a cardiologist in Chennai can guide you on the best choice.

How do rhythm control medications work for atrial fibrillation?

We now move on to rhythm control medications. They keep the heart beating in a steady rhythm. Doctors use anti-arrhythmic drugs to control both the heart rate and its beat. These drugs have side effects, so doctors use them with care.

Some patients need these medications for life after cardioversion to stop atrial fibrillation from returning.

Health professionals give these drugs by mouth or through an IV. This method replaces electrical cardioversion for many patients. Cardiology experts choose the right treatment to fit the needs of each patient.

These rhythm control drugs help keep the heart in line.

Which anticoagulants prevent blood clots in atrial fibrillation?

Building on how rhythm control medications work, doctors now add anticoagulants to cut the risk of clots. Warfarin, or Jantoven, stops clots but needs regular blood tests for close tracking.

Direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto) also work well. A study of 42,411 patients on NOACs versus 29,272 on warfarin showed a 19% drop in stroke and systemic embolic events with NOACs.

NOACs lower all-cause mortality by 10% but add a 1.25 times higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The European Society of Cardiology recommends NOACs as first-line therapy unless doctors find problems.

Clinicians use CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores to choose the right anticoagulant.

Non-Surgical Procedures

Cardioversion uses a quick shock to reset the heart and get its rhythm on track. Catheter ablation zaps away rogue signals, stopping the heart from acting like a wild stallion.

What is cardioversion, and how does it treat atrial fibrillation?

This treatment resets the heart’s rhythm back to normal. Electrical shocks from paddles or patches treat the condition, while doctors sometimes use intravenous or oral medications.

The procedure is scheduled well in advance. Prior anticoagulation reduces stroke risk before the treatment takes place.

Doctors use this procedure to help patients return to a normal heart rhythm. It may benefit people with atrial fibrillation who need prompt heart rate control. Next, we explore how catheter ablation helps manage atrial fibrillation.

How does catheter ablation help in managing atrial fibrillation?

Catheter ablation destroys abnormal tissue near the pulmonary veins that triggers atrial fibrillation. The procedure cuts off the erratic signals that disturb your heart rhythm. It works well for many patients and uses methods like cryoballoon ablation to keep things simple.

Success rates reach 54.1% in paroxysmal cases and 41.8% in non-paroxysmal cases, with repeated procedures boosting success to 79.8%.

Major complications occur in 4.5% of cases. Risks include death at 0.15%, stroke or TIA at 0.94%, tamponade at 1.31%, and atrial-esophageal fistula at 0.04%. Catheter ablation offers a non-surgical option for rhythm control, especially for those who cannot tolerate or do not respond to medications.

Surgical Options

Surgical treatments shift the heart’s rhythm by reworking its wiring and closing off problem spots. These procedures open new paths to lasting relief and invite you to explore more.

What is the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation?

Doctors make small scars in the atria to block unwanted electrical signals. The Maze procedure, or Cox Maze, creates these scars with precise cuts or ablation energy. Cox Maze IV uses energy instead of a cut-and-sew method.

The TT-maze offers a less invasive option with fewer complications.

Many patients do well after this treatment. Ninety-three percent stay free of atrial fibrillation at one year. Seventy-eight percent stay clear at five years. The procedure helps control abnormal heart rhythms while keeping risks low.

How does left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) reduce stroke risk?

The maze procedure works to restore heart rhythm, and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) cuts stroke risk. LAAC blocks a small pouch where clots can form. The Watchman device is used and gives fewer hemorrhagic strokes than warfarin.

Outcomes compare well with NOACs.

Patients who cannot take long-term oral anticoagulants may use LAAC as an option. The ESC gives LAAC a Class IIB rating with evidence level B. This method helps reduce stroke risk safely.

Conclusion

You learned about drugs, non-surgical procedures, and surgeries for AFib. Beta blockers, catheter ablation, and LAAC offer simple solutions. Lifestyle changes add extra benefits for heart care.

Do you plan to ask your doctor about these options soon? Stay active and choose smart ways to care for your heart.