What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

Can atrial fibrillation be cured? Many patients often ask doctors this question, and the answer is affirmative. With the development of minimally invasive interventional treatment techniques, some patients with atrial fibrillation have been cured after radiofrequency ablation treatment and have not experienced any recurrence. As for which atrial fibrillation cases are suitable for radiofrequency ablation treatment, I suggest that if the atrial fibrillation recurs repeatedly and the symptoms are quite apparent, and the effect of medication is not ideal, one should consult a specialist cardiologist to see if radiofrequency ablation treatment is appropriate.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Atrial fibrillation is caused by what?

Atrial fibrillation can occur in healthy individuals, sometimes triggered by emotional excitement, surgery, exercise, or excessive drinking. It often occurs in patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, hyperthyroidism, constrictive pericarditis, myocarditis, infective endocarditis, and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Atrial fibrillation can also occur in middle-aged and young adults without cardiac diseases, known as lone atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Nursing Care for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) refers to atrial fibrillation, caused primarily by organic heart diseases, commonly seen in coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary heart disease, as well as certain metabolic disorders such as hyperthyroidism. Patients with AF can experience impacts on cardiac function, and in severe cases, may develop heart failure. Nursing care primarily involves ensuring the patient rests and avoids excessive fatigue. Mild physical activities can be performed, and it is advisable to eat easily digestible foods and avoid spicy foods to reduce gastrointestinal irritation and lessen the burden on cardiac function. Attention should be paid to sleep, avoiding smoking and alcohol, routinely checking the electrocardiogram (ECG), and seeking timely medical treatment at a hospital if special conditions arise.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How is atrial fibrillation treated?

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia in our daily lives, and it has many dangers. First, it produces symptoms; when atrial fibrillation occurs, patients often experience palpitations and chest discomfort. Second, it can induce heart failure. Third, it can cause complications such as cerebral infarction. Therefore, the treatment of atrial fibrillation is usually divided into the following types: first, pharmacological treatment, such as using amiodarone to maintain sinus rhythm and taking warfarin to prevent thrombosis. Second, surgical treatment, such as radiofrequency ablation therapy, which is a minimally invasive method and is hoped to prevent further episodes of atrial fibrillation.