Atrial fibrillation: drug therapies for ventricular rate control and restoration of sinus rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and its prevalence increases with age. Etiologies include coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular heart disease, thyrotoxicosis, and other cardiac and noncardiac conditions. AF can lead to reversible impairment of left ventricular (LV) function, LV dilatation, clinical heart failure, angina pectoris, stroke, and increased mortality. Digoxin, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers are used to control ventricular rate in new-onset AF with hemodynamically stable rhythm and in chronic AF where rhythm cannot be restored. These drugs can be used alone or in combination, depending on the clinical situation. The most complete relief of symptoms occurs when sinus rhythm is restored. Class IA, IC, and III antiarrhythmic agents can be used to restore and maintain sinus rhythm in selected patients.